Testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has laid out an alleged money-laundering network involving North West businessman Suliman Carrim, tender figure Hangwani Maumela and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Carrim told the commission about a series of multimillion-rand payments that evidence leaders say may show how money moved between the three men.

The matter comes against the backdrop of the wider Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal. Commission evidence highlighted previous findings that syndicates linked to the scandal allegedly looted more than R2 billion through fraudulent tenders, with Maumela named as a central figure.

Millions Moved Through Company Accounts

According to Carrim’s testimony, he funded Matlala’s Medicare24 company with R10 million after Matlala allegedly approached him over cash flow problems linked to a R360 million SAPS tender awarded in 2024. Carrim said Matlala later repaid R1.75 million, then asked him to send part of that money to Maumela.

Carrim said he refused to pay the full R750,000 requested but eventually transferred R500,000 to Luthagha Trading Enterprise, an account allegedly linked to Maumela’s sister. He also admitted that this was not the first payment. Evidence before the commission showed that more than R42 million was paid to Luthagha through Ziggy Investment between December 2023 and November 2024, with another R3 million paid through Tameez between August 2024 and March 2025.

Pressure, Fear and Unanswered Questions

Carrim told the commission he felt pressured to make the payments and said he was scared of both Matlala and Maumela. He also said he wanted to know why Matlala did not pay Maumela directly, but claimed Matlala insisted that he do it instead.

Evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC told the commission the transactions raised serious concerns. He said the commission would have to consider whether money-laundering charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act should be recommended. Chaskalson also questioned whether Carrim’s claimed R10 million loan was really a loan at all, saying the arrangement looked commercially odd and may point to a deeper partnership.

More Testimony Still to Come

The commission also heard that Carrim was allegedly unaware that more than R2 million had been withdrawn from one of his companies and paid to Matlala without his authorisation. Carrim said he would investigate the payments with his staff. He is expected to return to the commission on 16 April 2026 to answer further questions.