Suliman Carrim Denies Fleeing South Africa As Bail Hearing Continues
Crime accused Suliman Carrim has denied intending to flee South Africa after his arrest at OR Tambo International Airport while allegedly preparing to travel to Dubai.
Suliman Carrim has denied plans to leave South Africa permanently as his bail application continued in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Carrim was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday while preparing to board a flight to Dubai. He faces a charge of contravening the commission’s legislation after allegedly repeatedly failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission.
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During Friday’s proceedings, the court heard that Carrim had five bags of luggage when he was arrested and had failed to produce a return ticket when asked to do so by the investigating officer.
Carrim disputed the suggestion that his travel plans indicated an intention to flee the country.
Return Ticket Dispute In Court
The question of whether Carrim had a return ticket featured in an exchange between his lawyer, Hendrik Potgieter, and investigating officer Jimmy Kubayi.
Potgieter challenged Kubayi’s account, suggesting that Carrim was in possession of a return ticket.
“Sir, I put it to you that he is in possession of a return ticket,” Potgieter said.
Kubayi responded: “That he failed to provide to me, Your Worship.”
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Potgieter then asked whether the officer would change his position if the ticket were produced.
“So, if it does exist and that ticket is made available to you, then you would change your position?” he asked.
Kubayi replied: “The question would be why did he not produce it to me when I requested it at the time?”
The exchange highlighted a dispute between the defence and the investigating officer over the circumstances of Carrim’s planned trip and whether he had demonstrated an intention to return to South Africa.
Carrim Denies Criminal Allegations
Carrim also denied being a criminal when prosecutors questioned him about previous investigations involving him.
His appearance before the magistrates’ court follows scrutiny over his repeated alleged failures to attend proceedings at the Madlanga Commission.
The current charge relates to the alleged contravention of legislation governing the commission. The allegations remain subject to the legal process.
The bail proceedings are expected to determine whether Carrim will be released from custody while the case continues.
