In a day of high drama and explosive revelations, the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry heard testimony that roiled the South African business and political landscape. At the centre of the storm is North West multi-millionaire businessman Suliman Carrim, who took the stand to face a gruelling interrogation over his relationship with the notorious “fixer” Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The testimony, delivered on Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11, 2026, has pulled back the curtain on a murky world of "unauthorised" payments, intelligence leaks, and a multi-million rand SAPS tender that has left even the commission's evidence leaders "puzzled."
The R500,000 "Investment" or a Shady Kickback?
The most sensational part of Carrim's testimony involved a R500,000 payment he admitted to making to a figure linked to Matlala. Under intense questioning, Carrim struggled to explain the nature of the transaction. While he initially described it as an "investment" into Matlala’s business empire, evidence leaders were quick to point out that the timing of the payment coincided perfectly with a massive R360 million tender awarded to Matlala’s company, Medicare24, by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
"I am a businessman, I see opportunities," Carrim told the commission, his voice occasionally wavering under the spotlight. "I thought this was a legitimate business deal. I didn't know it was part of something bigger."
However, the commission heard that Carrim expected a staggering R74 million return on his "investment"—a figure that evidence leaders described as "astronomical" and "not grounded in any known business reality." When asked why he would expect such a massive payout for a relatively small initial sum, Carrim’s answers became increasingly evasive.
Who is "Cat" Matlala? The Man at the Centre of the Web
The name Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala has become synonymous with high-level corruption and "fixing" government contracts. Described by some as an "underworld figure" and by others as a "crime mastermind," Matlala has built an empire on his ability to influence procurement processes within the SAPS and other government departments.
The Madlanga Commission has already heard evidence that Matlala had direct lines of communication with senior police officials and even received intelligence leaks that allowed him to stay one step ahead of investigators. Carrim’s testimony has now added another layer to this web, suggesting that Matlala was using his "fixer" status to solicit funds from wealthy businessmen in exchange for the promise of lucrative government contracts.
"He was the man who could get things done," Carrim admitted during his testimony. "In the North West, if you wanted to move forward, you spoke to Cat. He had the connections, he had the power."
A "Fishing Expedition" or a Day of Reckoning?
Carrim’s legal team has not taken the interrogation lying down. His lawyers have called the commission’s questioning a "fishing expedition" and have even indicated their intention to file for a postponement. They argue that Carrim is being unfairly targeted and that the commission is overstepping its bounds by delving into his private business affairs.
However, the evidence leaders remain undeterred. They have warned that Carrim could face prosecution for money laundering if he cannot provide a satisfactory explanation for the "unauthorised" payments. The commission has also heard that Carrim grew "despondent" when Matlala became "evasive" about repaying the promised millions towards the end of 2024.
"It seems the fixer has finally been fixed," one observer noted outside the commission's hearings. "Carrim thought he was buying a seat at the table, but it looks like he was just another pawn in Cat’s game."
The Political Fallout: A Government Under Scrutiny
The revelations at the Madlanga Commission have once again turned the spotlight on the deep-seated corruption within South Africa’s procurement systems. With the 2026 local government elections on the horizon, the ANC-led government is under immense pressure to show that it is taking real action against "tenderpreneurs" and their political enablers.
The testimony of Suliman Carrim is just the tip of the iceberg. As the commission continues its work, more names are expected to surface, and more "shady" deals are likely to be exposed. For now, the focus remains on the man who thought he could buy his way to a fortune, only to find himself in the crosshairs of a national inquiry.
Celeb Gossip News will continue to bring you the latest from the Madlanga Commission as this explosive story unfolds.
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