Pretoria — The Madlanga Commission has confirmed that criminal charges were laid last week against North West businessman Suliman Carrim after he failed to appear before the inquiry.
Instruction from the chair
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the charges were instituted on the instruction of Commission Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. The commission secretary, Nolitha Vukuza, formally laid the charges on 21 August, and the matter has now been transferred to the commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT), Michaels said.
“Justice Madlanga had instructed the secretary of the commission to lay criminal charges against Mr Suleyman Karim. And indeed, that has been done. The criminal charges have been laid against Mr Karim by the commission, by the secretary, on behalf of the commission. And that matter is now in the hands of the commission’s recommendations task team, the CRTT.”
Context and recent testimony
The confirmation came after the testimony of KwaZulu‑Natal Hawks Lieutenant‑Colonel Deenadayalan Govender, who was appearing before the commission. Michaels spoke to media following Govender’s evidence. The Madlanga Commission has been conducting a wide-reaching inquiry, and the decision to pursue criminal charges underscores the panel’s move to enforce attendance and co‑operation.
What the commission has done so far
The commission has followed internal procedures in referring the matter to its CRTT once charges were laid. The CRTT is tasked with considering recommendations flowing from the commission’s work, including potential criminal referrals, further investigations and other remedial steps.
- 21 August — Charges laid by the commission secretary on instruction of the chair.
- After testimony by Lt‑Col Govender — Spokesperson confirmed to media the referral to CRTT.
- Next steps — The CRTT will handle the matter and consider recommendations arising from the commission’s record and evidence.
Timeline
| Date | Action | Actor |
|---|---|---|
| 21 August | Criminal charges laid | Commission Secretary (Nolitha Vukuza) on instruction of Justice Madlanga |
| 31 August | Confirmation given to media | Commission Spokesperson Jeremy Michaels |
Legal and procedural significance
Commissions of inquiry have powers to summon witnesses and require documentation; when those powers are not respected the chair may direct the commission secretary to take further steps, including criminal referral. The Madlanga Commission’s move to have charges laid signals a determination to secure compliance with its processes.
Local resonance in KZN and beyond
Although the charges involve a North West businessman, the testimony that immediately preceded Michaels’s statement came from a KwaZulu‑Natal Hawks officer, linking the province to the commission’s ongoing work. For residents and institutions in KZN, the episode is a reminder of the multi‑provincial reach of national investigations and the role of specialised SAPS units in providing evidence to independent inquiries.
What to expect next
The matter is now formally in the hands of the CRTT; any further public action will depend on the team’s deliberations and the recommendations it prepares for the commission. The commission can make further referrals to law enforcement agencies or recommend other remedies to the relevant authorities.
The Madlanga Commission has been managing a complex schedule of witnesses and evidence. Observers say referrals of this kind can both reinforce the commission’s authority and lengthen the process as parallel criminal procedures or investigations are considered.
For now, the public record shows a clear administrative step: charges laid on instruction of the chair and confirmed by the commission spokesperson, with the CRTT charged with handling the matter going forward.
