In South Africa, SIU to review contracts of businessman Carrim’s companies
In South Africa, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) will review multimillion-rand transport tenders of the North West provincial government awarded to companies linked to businessman Suleiman Carrim. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorizing the investigation on September 11. According to Daily Maverick, the Madlanga Commission also decided to bring criminal charges against Carrim over his repeated failure to appear to continue his testimony.
R168 million contract
At the center of the SIU review is a R168 million contract awarded to a joint venture involving Carrim-linked Transnat Coach Lines and Ziggy Investments. The unit must establish possible improper conduct, financial irregularities, undue benefits, and potential losses to the state.
The investigation also covers financial transactions of this joint venture with the late taxi business leader Jotham “King Mswazi” Msibi. At the Madlanga Commission hearings, advocate Matthew Chaskalson presented messages and other materials from Msibi’s phone that pointed to a previously unidentified joint venture between Ziggy Investments and Transnational Coaches linked to subsidized road transport in Gauteng and North West.
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Among the transactions presented to the commission were a R700,000 payment to the South African National Taxi Council, R1 million to Tucofin, a company of which Msibi was a director, and R300,000 listed as an outstanding amount from entities in North West. The commission did not establish wrongdoing in relation to these payments or the joint venture, and the evidence had not yet been tested.
Failure to appear at hearings
On August 14, the 159th day of hearings, the Madlanga Commission decided for the first time to bring criminal charges against a witness. Carrim repeatedly failed to appear to continue his testimony, citing a serious health condition. In April, he was reportedly hospitalized after a suspected heart attack, and the hearings were repeatedly postponed.
In July, Chaskalson said that financial statements and other documents from the Carrim-linked companies Ziggy, Tasmika and Tamiez had still not been provided, although these entities received millions of rand in public funds. The SIU review also concerns North West Transport Investment, which, according to the publication, is in business rescue proceedings. If violations are established, the SIU may seek the recovery or forfeiture of assets.
