South Africa - Pretoria - 08 March 2026. The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry witness North West Businessman Suleiman Carrim testifies at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
North West businessman and ANC member, Suliman Carrim, said he was “played” by long-time associate Brown Mogotsi and alleged underworld tycoon, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a saga that left him R8.2 million out of pocket.
Carrim told the Madlanga Commission on Monday that he invested millions into Matlala’s company, Medicare24, believing the funds would be repaid once a lucrative police tender advanced.
Instead, he received only a fraction of the money back.
“I lost about R8.2 million,” Carrim told the commission. “This excludes the profit of the monies advanced to Medicare24.”
The funds were paid directly into Medicare24, the company that later secured a controversial R360 million SAPS contract to provide occupational health and wellness services to roughly 180,000 police officers.
Carrim testified that the arrangement was straightforward: once the tender began generating income, Matlala would repay the investment.
But the payments never materialised.
“I only received about R1.75 million,” he said. The businessman appeared before the commission amid allegations that he attempted to influence Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to stall an investigation into the tender.
Carrim firmly denied the claims, insisting he had no relationship with the minister and no ability to sway the process.
“I myself have no direct relationship with Minister Mchunu,” he said.
Carrim also rejected suggestions that the minister interfered in the termination of the police contract.
“The termination letter of the SAPS contract was sent on May 12. The minister had no influence or authority in that decision. It was terminated by the national commissioner.”
According to Carrim, his trust in Mogotsi, a friend of nearly two decades from Mahikeng, ultimately led him into the deal.
“In hindsight, it is clear Brown was playing me,” he testified. “I’ve known him for 15 to 18 years. I’ve always assisted him and his foundations.”
Carrim said he later realised Mogotsi had exaggerated his political connections and influence with Mchunu.
“Matlala knew very well that I had no contacts. Brown knew I relied on his advice,” he said.By May 2025, Carrim said, Matlala stopped responding to his messages entirely.
Despite the financial fallout, Carrim insisted he never received kickbacks from the deal.
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