Parliament concludes RAF inquiry without former CEO Collins Letsoalo's testimony

Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has wrapped up its inquiry into the Road Accident Fund (RAF) without the testimony of its former CEO, Collins Letsoalo.

This is despite at least two attempts to summons him to appear.

But committee chairperson Songezo Zibi said Letsoalo is not off the hook - and Parliament is still weighing up how to hold him accountable for refusing to account to the Legislature.

Although previous Parliaments have issued summonses for several people to appear before its committees - it’s never pursued individuals who have snubbed them.

This includes former Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu in 2022 - and at least four witnesses including the infamous Gupta brothers and the former South African Airways (SAA) board chairperson - the late Dudu Myeni - who did not turn up to its Eskom inquiry in 2018.

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Zibi said Parliament has to carefully consider its next steps before deciding who should lay a charge against Letsoalo for contempt of Parliament.

“What the Secretary to Parliament is doing is getting independent legal advice, which is both going to look at the process so far and then advise on how to proceed.”

Letsoalo has written several letters to Parliament explaining why he did not recognise the inquiry as legitimate.

He’s been placed at the centre of much of the testimony before the SCOPA, including the alleged victimisation of RAF employees, the appointment of a parallel structure in his office, malicious mass suspensions, and wasteful expenditure including on his private security.

“I don’t think there’s appetite anywhere for Parliament to be disrespected,” said Zibi.

The committee will meet next week to discuss its draft report with the intention to table the final version before the national assembly by the end of the month.