SCOPA agrees to begin process to summons ex-RAF CEO Letsoalo to appear before it

Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has agreed to begin a process to summons former CEO of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Collins Letsoalo, to appear before its inquiry into maladministration at the fund. 

This after Letsoalo ignored its latest correspondence informing him of the dates the committee wishes for him to appear to respond to the testimony given. 

Over the past three weeks, several former employees who have appeared before the inquiry have testified that Letsoalo was behind radical operational and staffing decisions that impacted the running of the fund and led to a culture of fear.

His tenure ended in August.

ALSO READ:

• SCOPA hears how 2 former RAF officials were sidelined & worked out their jobs after Letsoalo appointed CEO
• RAF accounting standard shift was to improve financials, former RAF official tells Parly
• Staff cuts, scrapping of legal panel blamed for RAF backlog before Parly

In previous correspondence to Parliament, Letsoalo questioned the authority of the committee to conduct an inquiry and said it was unclear to him why it required him to appear.

But SCOPA chairperson, Songezo Zibi, said it was only fair that Letsoalo was given the right of reply to the testimony the committee had received. 

The Democratic Alliance (DA)’s Patrick Atkinson agreed, saying that Letsoalo was central to decision-making during the period under review. 

The African National Congress (ANC)’s Tintswalo Bila said that Letsoalo’s refusal to appear could delay the committee from concluding its work by the end of November. 

"We can’t continue begging him because he was occupying an office of responsibility, so he has to come and account to the committee."

The committee will now request the Speaker to issue a summons for his appearance in three weeks’ time. 

The committee will also write to him out of courtesy to inform him of the dates he’s expected to appear. 

Zibi said that in the intervening time, should Letsoalo decide to appear, the committee would treat his appearance as voluntary, rather than by summons.

The MK Party and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) did not attend Thursday night’s meeting at which the decision was taken.

JOIN US ON WHATSAPP

Stay ahead of the story: Join our WhatsApp channel today.

Want breaking news at your fingertips, the moment it happens? Our WhatsApp Channel is the fastest way to stay connected with the stories that matter most.

From breaking news alerts to exclusive stories, analysis and must-read features - you’ll get it all directly on your phone.

Joining is simple.

Just click Follow on our WhatsApp Channel and stay informed.