MK, EFF question need for SCOPA inquiry into RAF

After a year of back and forth over the financial management and governance of the entity, the committee on Tuesday resolved to launch an inquiry that will include witness testimony from those who’ve blown the lid on irregularities.

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFf) have appeared hesitant for Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) to launch an inquiry into the Road Accident Fund (RAF).

After a year of back and forth over the financial management and governance of the entity, the committee on Tuesday resolved to launch an inquiry that will include witness testimony from those who’ve blown the lid on irregularities.

But the MK Party and EFF said that while they don’t dispute the myriad problems at the fund, they don’t think it warrants an inquiry.

SCOPA chairperson, Songezo Zibi, said that an inquiry into the RAF would not delve into policy matters nor a long-running dispute with the auditor-general over its accounting methods.

But he said RAF matters had been overwhelming the committee over the past year, and it could not continue to spend so much time on it, without getting the necessary answers.

While the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), ActionSA and United Democratic Movement (UDM) representatives on the committee have backed the plan for an inquiry, the MK Party’s Emerald Madlala said the committee had encountered far worse entities.

“The issue of RAF seems to have a peculiar approach. It seems to have two ends that wants to exacerbate their position on it, one end appearing to be saying it’s the worst form of administration that’s ever been seen, the CEO must go.”

The party’s David Skosana said that suspended CEO, Collins Letsoalo, had saved the fund over R20 billion during his tenure, and inquiries often took long and could be a waste of time.

The EFF’s Veronica Mente said that while the problems at the RAF were evident, the committee’s response is disproportionate when compared to other entities.

“I don’t think it would be fair for us to have an inquiry based on an entity that’s just servicing a few. Yes, we will pay attention to it, the best way we know how.”

Zibi said the inquiry would not proceed until all members agreed to the terms of reference, which he expected to be drawn up by 1 July.