Suliman Carrim granted bail on contempt charge
North West businessman Suliman Carrim was arrested on October 15 for failing to appear before a commission.
Pretoria Magistrate’s Court granted bail to North West businessman Suliman Carrim on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Magistrate Curlewis ruled Carrim had met stringent conditions for release after his arrest at OR Tambo International Airport on October 15. Carrim faces a charge of failing to appear before a commission after a criminal complaint for alleged contempt of court was lodged.
Carrim last appeared before the commission on March 9 and 10, 2026, and was due to return on April 15 but allegedly suffered a heart attack. His repeated absences between April and July due to ill health raised concerns, and he was ordered to appear in person on August 14 but failed to do so. He also faces separate charges of attempted theft of motor vehicles, fraud, and uttering before the Musina Magistrate’s Court, related to an incident on July 22, 2026.
The businessman is also under investigation for alleged fraud and corruption involving the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, a matter handled by the cold case unit since 2025. President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in September to probe maladministration, corruption, and irregular expenditure at North West Transport Investments (NTI), including a R168 million tender awarded to a joint venture including Carrim’s company, Ziggy Investments.
Why it mattersSuliman Carrim was granted bail after being arrested for contempt of court and faces further charges related to attempted theft, fraud, and corruption.