49-Year-Old Man Arrested at OR Tambo Over Failure to Appear Before Madlanga Commission of Inquiry

• The Madlanga Commission's Recommendations Task Team arrested a 49-year-old man at OR Tambo International Airport
• The suspect was apprehended before boarding an international flight, with a source indicating he appeared to be attempting to flee
• The man, who failed to appear before the Commission, is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrates' Court

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG — A 49-year-old man was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday evening, 15 October 2026, after failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The Commission's Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) apprehended the suspect at the airport moments before he was due to board an international flight.

Alleged former ANC official in custody

According to The Sowetan's Herman Moloi, the arrested individual is a former North West African National Congress regional treasurer, though this has not been officially confirmed by authorities.

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A source familiar with the matter indicated that the man appeared to be attempting to leave the country. The suspect is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrates' Court on Friday, 16 October 2026, following his arrest the previous evening.

UPDATE:

Ahead of his court appearance, eNCA confirmed that the individual was Suliman Carrim. National Police Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Carrim did have a return ticket, and that there was no indication at this stage that he was fleeing the country.

She added that he would be charged for failing to appear before the Commission, which amounted to contempt of court.

South Africans speculate on man's identity

@D_Molatoli said:

"They must lock him up with Sibiya. The CRTT is guarding all entry and exit points."

@Fulunem added:

"He was going shopping at Woolworths Australia. His nurse authorised it."

@joneskhumbuzo:

"ANC regional treasurer must be Carim Suliman."

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@Sasalurv stated:

"He thought pretending to be sick to avoid Madlanga was a perfect plan to escape accountability."

@cornymabuti speculated:

"After this stunt, he will probably have a 'massive' heart attack and get admitted and then back to the psych ward."

@stone55lumko said:

"Carrim got arrested, and General Masemola is back at work. What a week this has turned out to be."

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News