Former ANC North West treasurer and businessman Suliman Carrim has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
According to eNCA, the 49-year-old was arrested on Thursday evening shortly before he was due to board an international flight.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that a 49-year-old man was arrested for allegedly failing to appear before the commission and was expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Charges Followed Earlier No-Show
The arrest follows criminal charges laid against Carrim in August after he failed to return to the commission despite being instructed to appear.
SABC News reported that Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga instructed secretary Nolitha Vukuza to open the case after Carrim failed to appear. The matter was then handed to the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team.
The commission had previously rejected Carrim’s attempt to indefinitely postpone his testimony on medical grounds.
Daily Maverick reported that he also did not undergo an independent medical assessment requested by the commission.
Carrim Previously Testified Before Inquiry
Carrim had already appeared before the inquiry earlier in 2026.
Commission records show that he gave evidence in March before later failing to return for further questioning. The commission said it would make findings based on the evidence already before it.
His evidence included questions about financial dealings linked to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and a disputed SAPS healthcare services contract.
Those matters remain allegations and have not resulted in a finding of guilt against Carrim.
Arrests Remain a Police Function
The Madlanga Commission has previously stressed that arrests linked to matters arising from its work are carried out by SAPS, not by the commission itself.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said in April that law-enforcement action is handled by a SAPS task team following referrals or evidence emerging from the inquiry.
Carrim was expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday, with the case now moving into the criminal justice process.