Named as one of Matlala's apparent funders
Evidence leaders pointed to Carrim and Hangwani Maumela as funders behind Matlala's tender.
The commission's evidence leaders told the inquiry that Suleiman Carrim and businessman Hangwani (Morgan) Maumela appeared to be the funders behind Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, whose company Medicare24 scored a roughly R360 million SAPS health-services contract. An infographic led in evidence traced payments from Medicare24 to Tamiz Investments and onward to Carrim and North West businessman Brown Mogotsi, among others. These are untested allegations.
'Mogotsi and Matlala played me'
He testified he lost millions loaned towards the risky R360m tender deal.
Carrim testified that he was deceived into pouring money into the tender deal, telling the commission that Brown Mogotsi and Matlala 'played' him - loaning Matlala around R10 million and losing roughly R8.4 million. Mogotsi denies wrongdoing. The account is contested and untested.
The 'two police ministers' remark
He told the commission it was not possible he was close to two police ministers.
In his evidence Carrim said 'it's not possible that I'm close to two police ministers'. The remark is read against the timeline that Senzo Mchunu only took office as police minister on 3 July 2024, while the SAPS contract dates to the earlier tenure of former minister Bheki Cele. The nature of any such relationships was not unpacked before his testimony stalled.
Repeated postponements on ill health
His part-heard testimony has been delayed again and again by medical claims.
After his 9-10 March 2026 appearance, Carrim's continuation was repeatedly postponed: he was hospitalised after collapsing at a Sandton gym in April, reported to have spent time in ICU, and filed sick notes to delay further sittings - withdrawing again in late June 2026 citing ill health. Evidence leaders expressed frustration that his testimony 'raised more questions than answers'. He is presumed innocent; the commission has flagged the pattern of medical postponements.