Collins Letsoalo snubs Scopa summons, stalling Parliament’s RAF probe

Former Road Accident Fund CEO, Collins Letsoalo, has ignored a summons to appear before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) committee on Tuesday.

The committee was set to enter its eighth week of inquiry into the financial operations at the RAF, with significant developments scheduled for this month.

IOL reported on Monday that Parliament has made it clear that Letsoalo’s appearance was mandatory.

"Should he fail to comply with this summons, Scopa has expressed its intention to deliberate on further actions, signalling the committee’s unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth behind the RAF’s financial dealings," the committee stated.

It remains to be seen if former RAF board members, Lorraine Francois, Thembelihle Msibi, Lekau Moses Nyama, and Dr Nomonde Mabuya-Moloele, will continue with their testimony following Letsoalo's no-show.

The Democratic Alliance has meanwhile called for criminal charges to be instituted against Letsoalo. 

"If he does not appear tomorrow (Wednesday), the DA says SCOPA must immediately proceed under section 17 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament Act," said the DA's Patrick Atkinson.

He explained that the committee ensured that the correct steps were followed in issuing the summons, including serving it via email after Letsoalo allegedly supplied his incorrect home address.

"SCOPA’s legal adviser confirms that Letsoalo is fully aware of the summons, a fact reinforced by his own lawyers who challenged its legality. Refusing to appear before Parliament in these circumstances is a criminal offence. Letsoalo’s failure to attend cannot be treated lightly, given the serious allegations of mismanagement and misconduct under his watch," Atkinson said. 

IOL