Carrim claims R10 million loan to Medicare24 was based on a handshake

Controversial businessman Suleiman Carrim says there is no signed contract agreement for his R10 million loan to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s company, Medicare24.

Carrim told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday that the deal was concluded with a handshake.

In June 2024, Carrim says he loaned Medicare24 R10 million to service a tender the company recently scored from the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The R360 million tender was cancelled about a year later after red flags were raised in the bidding process.

READ: Carrim admits funding court bid against rival health tender

Carrim stated that he did not have a relationship with Matlala prior to June 2024, when Matlala approached him for a loan.

However, Carrim noted that he had known of Matlala since they were both in the private security industry.

Despite the lack of a prior relationship, Carrim maintains that he agreed to lend Matlala the money without a signed contract.

Sandile Khumalo, Co-Commissioner: “So are you saying there is no agreement between your company and Medicare24? What is the legal position as we are sitting here today?”

Carrim: “What we have is the proof of payment that we paid him, and we have this (draft) funding agreement that was not signed.”

Khumalo: “But did you shake hands on it?”

arrim: “Yes. We had a verbal agreement. We shook hands, post-come the funding agreement.”

Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson did not accept the explanation from Carrim, arguing that the evidence suggests his actions were those of an investor rather than a lender.