Suleiman Carrim Applies for in Camera Testimony at Madlanga Commission of Inquiry Over Death Threats

• African National Congress member Suleiman Carrim brought forward an urgent application before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
• Carrim's lawyer, Advocate Kameel Premhid, sought to have his client's testimony heard in camera and have the application in camera as well
• Commission chairperson, retired Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, questioned what made this application so different from other witnesses

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG - Suleiman Carrim has applied for his Madlanga Commission of Inquiry testimony to be heard in camera.

Carrim, an African National Congress (ANC) member and North West businessman, brought forward an application through his legal team on 6 March 2026. Carrim's application came after he was previously granted a postponement for his testimony before the Commission, which is probing allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.

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The allegations were made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during an explosive press briefing on 6 July 2025. The KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner alleged that senior police officers and politicians were working together with criminal cartels.

His lawyer, Advocate Kameel Premhid, also asked that the application for in-camera testimony be held in camera. The North West businessman, who is alleged to have ties to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala,

Why does Carrim want his testimony in camera?

During the in-camera application on 6 March 2026, Premhid stated that death threats were made against his client and his client’s family.

He also claimed that threats were made against Carrim's businesses and the staff at the businesses. Premhid also argued that the application's broadcast made it almost pointless, as whoever was threatening his client would know his plans.

He also noted that this wasn’t an application for his client not to appear and testify, but just for his evidence to be given in camera. Retired Chief Justice, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, questioned what made this application different from any other application for in camera testimony, that it had to be held in camera itself.

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The application for the application to be heard in camera was rendered moot because the matter was being discussed during the hearings anyway.

Justice Madlanga also then rejected the application for the testimony to be heard in camera, and Carrim was forced to testify in person.

Other stories about Carrim and his testimony

Briefly News has covered Carrim's intitial attempts to have his tesimony postponed, as well as some of the hot topics emanating from his testimony.

• The North West businessman took the Madlanga Commission to court in February in an urgent bid to block a subpoena requiring him to appear.
• Carrim has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that he only agreed to pay Hangwani Morgan Maumela R750,000 because he was scared.
• Carrim claimed that Brown Mogotsi convinced him to lie to Cat Matala about knowing Senzo Mchunu in order to get his money back.

Source: Briefly News