By Everson Luhanga
- Businessman Suleiman Carrim says he lent Matlala R10-million, with a deal in place to get R20-million back over three years.
- Carrim told the Madlanga Commission that Matlala started dodging him about repayment and that he received only about R1.75-million back.
Businessman Suleiman Carrim told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that a R10-million loan to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala left him chasing missing payments for months.
Carrim said the agreement was for Matlala to repay R20-million over three years. But only about R1.75-million arrived after he handed over the money, he told the commission.
He said he spent months following up for the rest.
When he asked for a clear repayment plan, Matlala “started becoming evasive,” Carrim told the commission.
Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson pointed out that Carrim had appeared to keep regular contact with Matlala during this period, despite his claim that Matlala was avoiding him.
The commission also heard that Matlala asked Carrim to advance money to another businessman, Morgan Maumela, on his behalf. Carrim said he agreed because Matlala promised to repay the amount in his next payment.
Carrim said he needed to “keep Maumela happy.”
Chaskalson also questioned WhatsApp messages that Carrim had sent to Matlala. In those messages, Carrim claimed to have been in contact with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Carrim denied having any relationship with Mchunu. He told the commission the message was written by a man named Brown Mogotsi. Carrim said Mogotsi told him to claim links to the minister to put pressure on Matlala to pay.
“I believed Mogotsi,” Carrim said.
Carrim said both Mogotsi and Matlala had misled him. “I was played,” he said.
The commission is investigating alleged links between law enforcement officials and Matlala.
Pictured above: Businessman Suleiman Carrim testifies at the Madlanga Commission about payments linked to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
Image source: @ZizinjaAbelungu
