The State has opposed bail for businessman Suliman Carrim, arguing that he could flee the country.
His lawyer, however, disputes the flight-risk claim, insisting that a return ticket to South Africa can be verified with a single phone call.
Advocate Hendrik Potgieter cross-examined the officer handling the case during Carrim’s first appearance at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
He argued that verifying the ticket would undermine the State’s position.
The Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) intercepted Carrim at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday night, October 15, 2026.
The charges before the court relate to his failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission.
Why the State says Suliman Carrim is a flight risk
Prosecutors opposed bail on the grounds that Carrim posed a flight risk. They told the court that he held a one-way ticket to Dubai, with no return booking.
They also pointed to his five large bags, describing them as “voluminous”. The State cited these details in support of its argument against releasing him on bail.
Lawyer challenges Suliman Carrim’s return ticket claim
The defence maintains that Carrim has a return ticket for October 28, 2026.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has also confirmed this.
Potgieter argued that prosecutors had enough time to verify the travel documents. He said outstanding checks did not justify keeping Carrim in custody.
“If they want to, they can make a call to the travel agent which appears on this document and verify it now,” he said.
“But to give the state an opportunity now to go and verify something that is so obvious, it can never be reasonable and I have to object to that.”
Potgieter argued that granting bail would serve the interests of justice. He said Carrim had no previous convictions, explaining that two earlier cases had been withdrawn.
The lawyer also disputed the flight-risk allegation and raised concerns about Carrim’s health.
“Your worship, I’m informed by the accused person that the stress and the anxiety is taking a toll on him,” Potgieter said.
“He didn’t use any medication this morning and he further states that he can feel that it might lead to a panic attack, which would be detrimental to his medical condition.”
Carrim takes the stand as health concerns emerge
The defence told the court that Carrim suffers from anxiety and heart conditions. It said his heart condition had previously led to hospitalisation and contributed to postponements of his appearances before the commission.
During proceedings, Carrim asked to sit down. He told the court that he sometimes experienced panic attacks and blackouts.
Carrim described his trip to Saudi Arabia as “spiritual upliftment” and said he had made the journey every year for 17 years.
The prosecution questioned the apparent contradiction between his health concerns and his ability to travel. Carrim maintained that he was still unwell and had been trying to recover before returning to the commission.
“I was, I said I was trying to get better, like I said to you I’m not in a position, I’m not well,” he told the court.
Carrim said his doctor had advised against cross-examination, but he agreed to proceed with the bail hearing.
He also said he knew nothing about separate fraud and negligent driving charges, which he said had been withdrawn. He told the court he would address his failure to appear before the inquiry at his trial.
“I’m not a criminal,” he said.
NOWinSA was in court: Watch the cross-examination and hear the arguments in court:
Suliman Carrim bail hearing postponed to Monday
The magistrate postponed the bail application to Monday, October 19, 2026. Carrim remains at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre while the State verifies his travel documents and residential addresses.
Carrim is a central figure in the commission’s examination of alleged state capture. His bail hearing has brought the State’s concerns about his travel arrangements into focus, with the defence challenging the basis for treating him as a flight risk.
Earlier this year, the High Court struck his urgent application off the roll with costs. The judge ruled that the urgency was self-created.
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