Carrim-linked R168 million deal faces scrutiny. Who benefited?
PRETORIA — Businessman Suliman Carrim’s transport dealings face fresh scrutiny after President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised an SIU investigation into contracts at North West Transport Investments. Among the transactions reportedly under examination is a R168 million contract awarded to a joint venture involving his company.
According to eNCA, the contract involved Transnat Coach Lines and Ziggy Investments. The broadcaster reports that investigators will also examine financial dealings between the joint venture and late taxi boss Jotham “King Mswazi” Msibi, including whether improper benefits were received and public money was lost.
The SIU’s formal mandate covers NTI, its subsidiary North West Star and Atteridgeville Bus Service, which North West Star owns. It extends beyond the Carrim-linked contract to fuel procurement, vehicle rentals and commuter bus services.
Investigators will scrutinise fuel supplied by Zentrafor Fuel, trading as FuelU, a vehicle rental agreement dated 28 July 2023 and a commuter bus subcontracting agreement dated 7 July 2023. Payments made under these arrangements also fall within the inquiry.
The investigation will examine how claims from the named transport businesses and their joint venture were received, processed, approved and paid. It will also assess the conduct of NTI employees, the business rescue practitioner appointed in July 2022 and their agents.
The central questions are whether transactions breached legislation or Treasury requirements, whether anyone received undue benefits and whether the state suffered actual or potential losses. The R168 million figure is the reported contract value, not an established amount stolen or lost.
The authorisation does not establish wrongdoing by Carrim or the businesses involved. The eNCA report does not include his response to the new investigation.
Where evidence supports recovery proceedings, the SIU can approach the High Court or Special Tribunal. Evidence of criminal conduct must be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority, making the investigation a potential route to both financial recovery and further criminal proceedings.
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