Sulliman Carrim in Musina court over attempted theft of Absa vehicles
North West businessman Sulliman Carrim is appearing in the Musina Magistrate's Court on attempted theft and money laundering charges linked to two Absa vehicles.
LIMPOPO – North West businessman Sulliman Carrim is appearing in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on today (October 22) on charges of attempted theft and money laundering.
The Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority said it is alleged that Carrim, acting in collusion with his employees, attempted to steal two vehicles belonging to Absa by taking them out of the country using fraudulent documentation.
Two already in custody
Spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said two accused are already in custody after they were arrested while allegedly attempting to cross into Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge Border Post with the vehicles.
The NPA said Carrim was added as an accused in two existing cases recently by the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT).
How the case began
The charges stem from July, when police at Beitbridge intercepted two Absa-financed vehicles allegedly destined for Malawi.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the vehicles were being transported from Mahikeng towards Beitbridge.
Preliminary investigations found that lawful bank authorisation to move the vehicles across the border was not obtained, and fraudulent bank documents were allegedly arranged instead.
The vehicles were handed back to Absa.
The two suspects remain in custody and will appear on October 27.
Mounting legal troubles
The Musina case adds to Carrim’s mounting legal troubles.
He was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on October 15 while preparing to board a flight to Dubai via Pakistan for a religious trip to Saudi Arabia.
He is facing a separate charge of contravening the Commissions Act for failing to return to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he last testified in March.
He was due back in April but cited a heart attack and subsequent ill health. He was ordered to appear in August but did not return.
State opposes bail
In the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, the state opposed bail, arguing he is a flight risk and questioning why his doctor cleared him for a 15-hour flight but not an eight-hour cross-examination.
