Madlanga Commission rules on Carrim's in-camera testimony amid safety concerns

Following a High Court ruling allowing his testimony, the Madlanga Commission will decide on Monday whether North-West businessman Suliman Carrim can testify in camera due to threats against his life. His lawyers seek privacy protections, while evidence leader Adila Hassim challenges the threats' relevance to the inquiry.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into corruption in South Africa's police service is set to rule on Monday in Pretoria on North-West businessman Suliman Carrim's application to testify in camera. This follows the Johannesburg High Court's February 2026 dismissal of Carrim's challenge to the commission's subpoena, which stemmed from allegations linking him to a cancelled R360-million SAPS contract.

Carrim's legal team argues that threats to his life necessitate closed proceedings for his safety. Evidence leader Adila Hassim opposes, contending the threats—evidenced by text messages from unknown numbers—are not proven to relate to his commission participation. "We don’t know the context... of those text messages. We don’t know what the potential sources are... We don’t know whether there’s any hostility or dispute... that may give rise to this," Hassim stated.

The decision highlights ongoing witness safety issues in the commission's probe, initiated by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's claims of interference in criminal syndicate investigations.

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