RAF Inquiry: SCOPA agrees to allow witness to conceal their identity

Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) says it will allow a witness who is prepared to testify in its inquiry into the Road Accident Fund (RAF) to conceal their identity.

The committee, which is currently probing maladministration at the fund, said it respects the fear many people have of blowing the whistle on wrongdoing.

The decision comes amid correspondence from the RAF's former CEO, Collins Letsoalo, who said he won't respond to anonymous claims and testimony that's not backed up by a statement made under oath.

This week, the committee heard from three former officials who claim they were unfairly dismissed, another who has been on suspension for 15 months, and the current Head of Communications, McIntosh Polela, who described the RAF as broken and dysfunctional.

On Friday, SCOPA chairperson Songezo Zibi informed MPs that a request had been received for a witness not to testify in person, nor for a face to be shown.

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While not a usual request to Parliament, most MPs were sympathetic, including the Economic Freedom Fighters' Ntombovuyo Mente, who suggested the testimony be held in camera.

"We don't know how many people know her name in Parliament already. Who don’t know who to trust, and who not to trust. This is South Africa where people disappear and nothing happens."

The United Democratic Movement's Thandi Nontenja said the committee had to respect the request.

"We have to protect the whistleblowers, otherwise we will have nothing in future."

Zibi said the witness does not require a voice disguise and accepts being identifiable to those known to them.

He said the identity of the witness will also be verified before testimony is delivered.