Businessman Suliman Carrim appeared briefly in the Musina Magistrate's Court on Thursday 22 October on charges of attempted theft and money laundering, in a case that police say involves two vehicles belonging to Absa. He is presumed innocent and none of the allegations has been tested in court.
His bail application in the matter was postponed to Friday 30 October, and he remains in custody.
The allegations
Police say they intercepted two vehicles belonging to Absa at the Beitbridge Border Post on 22 July 2026. They allege fraudulent bank documents were used to move the vehicles.
The National Prosecuting Authority's Limpopo spokesperson said Carrim allegedly acted "in collusion with his employees" to steal the vehicles. Reports differ on whether the vehicles were headed for Malawi or Zimbabwe. Two other accused are already in custody.
Court dates and custody
The Musina bail hearing was postponed to 30 October, with a shortage of courtrooms cited as the reason. Carrim is being held at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria.
A separate Pretoria Magistrate's Court hearing on the outcome of his bail application over his failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission is expected roughly two days before 30 October. The exact date is not confirmed.
The Madlanga Commission link
Carrim was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on 16 October, as he prepared to leave the country, according to the report. The commission had resolved in August to lay criminal charges over his repeated non-appearance.
The report says he did not return to complete his testimony and cited ill health. At his bail hearing, he said doctors had encouraged foreign travel for "spiritual upliftment". We make no assessment of his health or of the allegations.
