Parliament raises concerns over vetting of Road Accident Fund executives

CAPE TOWN - Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has expressed concern about the lack of vetting for executives at the Road Accident Fund (RAF), which is beset by maladministration.

Chairperson Songezo Zibi said this is particularly problematic in light of a former City of Johannesburg executive who dodged financial misconduct charges at the municipality, only to be employed at the fund without a disciplinary hearing. 

The Special Investigating Unit said it received several reports of irregular appointments at the fund, but some are beyond the scope of its current investigations.

ALSO READ: RAF CEO dismisses claims he fraudulently approved a multi-million rand office lease

The beleaguered RAF is being subjected to several investigations involving the submission and payments of fraudulent claims, including by employees who had money paid into their accounts.

At least 20 referrals have been made for disciplinary processes.

SIU Chief Operating Officer Leonard Lekgetho said that unless a new proclamation is issued, it can’t investigate all the complaints of irregular appointments.

"There’s also further allegations against executives and managers who were previously working with the RAF CEO, and that their employment at the RAF did not follow the due employment process."

Zibi said that he wants the minister in The Presidency to explain the vetting problems, but it may also be that the RAF submitted applications for vetting.