The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is set to investigate a R168 million commuter transport contract awarded by the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management to a joint venture involving businessman Suleiman Carrim’s Ziggy Investments and Transnational Coaches.
The investigation comes as Carrim faces mounting scrutiny over his business dealings, including evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry linking his companies to the late taxi boss Jotham “King Mswazi” Msibi.
The R168 million contract was among a number of tenders awarded to companies linked to Carrim by the North West government. In May, the provincial government confirmed that Carrim-linked businesses had received at least 10 tenders worth more than R251 million, with the largest being the R168.107 million commuter transport contract awarded to Transnat Coachlines and Ziggy Investments.
What the SIU will investigate
The probe will examine whether there was serious maladministration, corruption, improper conduct and irregular expenditure surrounding the contract.
It will also look into whether individuals or companies improperly benefited from the transaction and whether public funds were exposed to financial losses.
The SIU has powers to investigate corruption, fraud and maladministration and, where wrongdoing is established, can institute civil proceedings to recover money or assets belonging to the state. Evidence of possible criminal conduct can also be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.
The investigation is significant because the North West transport deal has also come under scrutiny in relation to the troubled North West Transport Investments (NTI), a state-owned transport entity that has been subject to business rescue proceedings and concerns about its financial management.
A December 2025 High Court judgment recorded allegations concerning unlawful payments to Transnat and/or its joint venture with Ziggy Investments, as well as concerns about the handling of Transnat’s claims by the NTI business rescue practitioner. The court also recorded allegations of PFMA non-compliance and other management failures within the NTI companies.
Carrim and the Msibi connection
The investigation also comes after fresh evidence at the Madlanga Commission raised questions about financial links between Carrim’s businesses and entities associated with Msibi.
On 18 August, evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC presented material extracted from Msibi’s cellphone showing a previously unidentified joint venture involving Ziggy Investments and Transnational Coaches.
The evidence related to subsidised transport contracts in Gauteng and the North West.
The commission heard that R700,000 was paid to the South African National Taxi Council, while R1 million was paid into Tucofin, a company in which Msibi was a director. A further R300,000 was reportedly outstanding from North West entities.
Chaskalson told the commission that the connection between Carrim’s businesses and Msibi’s operations had not previously been identified by investigators.
Msibi, who died in January 2024, has been described during the inquiry as a former alleged leader of the so-called “Big Five” criminal cartel. Those allegations remain untested, and Msibi cannot respond to the claims.
Carrim already facing criminal charges
The latest SIU scrutiny adds to Carrim’s growing legal problems.
On 14 August, the Madlanga Commission resolved to lay criminal charges against Carrim after he failed to comply with an order requiring him to appear before the inquiry.
Carrim had repeatedly cited ill health as the reason for his absence. However, the commission heard evidence about an authorised outing in Cape Town while he was declared unfit to testify. The commission ultimately ordered him to appear or undergo an independent medical assessment before his continued absence led to criminal charges being laid.
The commission’s action was the first time it had resolved to lay criminal charges against a witness for failing to comply with a summons.
The charges are separate from the allegations surrounding the North West transport contract.
Questions over accountability
The SIU investigation is likely to intensify questions about how contracts involving politically connected or controversial business figures were awarded and managed.
The North West government previously maintained that the work covered by Carrim-linked tenders had been completed and verified by the relevant departments.
However, the SIU’s mandate is to establish whether procurement processes were lawful, whether public officials acted improperly and whether the state suffered financial losses.
If the investigation uncovers evidence of corruption or other unlawful conduct, the unit can pursue recovery of state funds through civil proceedings and refer criminal evidence to prosecutors.
