Cat Matlala admits R15m loan from Suliman Carrim remains unpaid

By Johnathan Paoli

Controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala has admitted that he has not fully repaid a R15-million loan he obtained for his Medicare24 business from North West businessman Suliman Carrim, saying he cannot determine how much remains outstanding because his bank accounts have been frozen.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday, evidence leader Mahlape Sello pressed Matlala for details of the loan and its repayment terms, despite his repeated claims that answering questions about the arrangement could incriminate him in the criminal case arising from the controversial SAPS health services contract.

Matlala said he approached Carrim for funding after showing him the Medicare24 contract and service-level agreement and discussing the value of the contract and what Carrim could earn from it.

He said one of Carrim’s companies advanced R15 million to his company under an oral agreement, with no written contract or security for the loan.