PRETORIA - North West businessman Suleiman Carrim has denied any links to SAPS top brass.
In his testimony on Monday, Carrim said he had no relationship or influence over suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu and SAPS generals Shadrack Sibiya and Feroz Khan.
Carrim told the commission that in June 2024, he was approached by alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to provide him with R10-million funding for Medicare24 to advance the R360-million SAPS health tender, later terminated due to corruption, kickbacks to police officials, and links to a criminal syndicate.
He said he provided R10-million funding to Medicare24. He said he knew Matlala because they both operated in the same sector.
He told the commission he received only partial payments before the contract was abruptly cancelled.
“I had no influence with the minister or any influence over him,” said Carrim.
Carrim said he was advised by Brown Mogotsi to tell Matlala he had a close and direct relationship with Mchunu and his office.
“Brown’s reasoning was that I should make Vusi believe that I have a relationship with the minister’s office. Brown was clear that this was required and calculated to make Vusi believe that my involvement and my assistance with the minister and his office would be crucial and therefore Vusi would need to pay me my money.”
Desperate to get his money back, Carrim said he agreed to go with the proposal.
He told the commission all messages or interactions from him to Matlala purported to be from the minister were sent by Mogotsi.
“I have no relationship with the minister whether personal or professional. I have never spoken to the minister. I have no relationship with General Feroz Khan. I know him as we sometimes pray at the same mosque in Houghton. I have no relationship with Sibiya.”