Retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga is expected to rule on Monday on whether North West businessman and ANC member Suliman Carrim will give his testimony in-camera due to death threats he has received. The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will make the decision after a day of arguments between Carrim’s advocate Kameel Premhid and evidence leader Adila Cassim SC.
Death Threats and Safety Concerns
Premhid argued that unknown people were threatening Carrim, his family, employees, and business interests, and that the matter had been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS). He said Carrim would like to testify without the public and some commission staff having access to his statement.
Carrim’s advocate had also wanted the preliminary points to be argued in-camera without details being beamed live on television and streamed on various platforms. However, Justice Madlanga ruled on Friday that Carrim’s application must be heard publicly and that he would provide the reasons on Monday.
Confidentiality Regime
Premhid listed staff members such as the commission’s head of security and investigators, whom he wanted not to have access to his statement. He argued that Carrim did not want the statement made public and asked for a confidentiality regime like the one awarded in court proceedings, where participating parties are only given access to some parts of the record.
Earlier in the day, Premhid argued that “On the facts of this case, there is a threat to the right to life, security, integrity, family, and commercial interests of the witness. This is a body that exercises public power in the name of the state, so this commission is bound by the same obligations that the state has to make sure that when issues of safety are raised, it properly applies its mind and discharges its power in accordance with that,”
Other witnesses have also come forward with their testimonies, including suspended SAPS national organised crime head Major-General Robert Shibiri, who told the commission about his relationship with controversial attempted murder accused businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Shibiri testified that he received a personal loan from Matlala, but maintained that the money, which is reported to have been R80,000, had been repaid in full.
Some key points to note about the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry include:
- The commission is investigating allegations of corruption and misconduct in the North West province.
- The inquiry has heard testimonies from various witnesses, including politicians, businessmen, and law enforcement officials.
- The commission has the power to subpoena witnesses and compel them to testify.
For more information about the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, you can visit the Government of South Africa website or follow the TimesLIVE for updates on the inquiry.
