Carrim admits funding court bid against rival health tender

The Madlanga Commission has heard evidence regarding how controversial North West businessmen Suliman Carrim and Brown Mogotsi allegedly colluded to block a multimillion-rand catering tender after it was not awarded to their preferred bidder.

The preferred bidder was Aloo Construction, which is owned by alleged tender fraudster Hangwani Maumela.

Carrim testified at the commission on Tuesday regarding his relationship with Maumela.

In August 2023, the North West Department of Health awarded a multimillion-rand tender to Medi-Ware to provide catering services at its facilities for a period of four years.

One month later, the Brown Mogotsi Foundation took the department and Medi-Ware to court and successfully interdicted the tender. It was revealed at the commission today that Carrim funded the litigation.

Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson put it to Carrim that the interdict was intended to help Aloo Construction.

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MC: “Aloo Construction was one of the losing bidders in the Medi-Ware tender that was interdicted with your money. Were you aware of that?”

SC: “No.”

MC: “I find that hard to believe.”

Carrim acknowledged he was good friends with Maumela at the time, noting that they had been in business together and he had purchased a house from him.

However, he maintains he had no idea the litigation would result in Aloo Construction having another chance to bid for the tender.