Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has voted 8-3 to request the Secretary to Parliament lay criminal charges against former Road Accident Fund (RAF) CEO Collins Letsoalo for failing to appear before a parliamentary inquiry despite a summons issued in November 2025.
The decision followed correspondence from the Speaker of Parliament, who clarified that while her concurrence was not legally required under the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act 2004, the committee should proceed with caution. The Speaker advised that the committee may face legal hurdles, noting the summons were not personally served on Letsoalo, which could jeopardize any potential prosecution.
In response, Collins Letsoalo disputed the procedural validity of the process. “There’s no question about it. I want to appear in parliament. But it must be a proper committee,” Letsoalo stated. He argued that the inquiry in question operates under separate terms of reference distinct from SCOPA’s mandated functions under Rule 245 of parliamentary rules, which he says limits the committee’s oversight to Auditor-General reports and financial statements.
Letsoalo maintained he never received the summons personally, noting his legal representatives had formally requested delivery to their offices. “If they gave me the summons I would have interdicted that,” he said, adding that he would not subject himself to what he characterized as an “unlawful process.”
The former CEO also raised substantive concerns about the inquiry’s scope, questioning why issues unrelated to financial management were being pursued. He highlighted a R30 million loan to the political party RISE Mzansi that was later converted to a donation, asking about repayment conditions and funding sources. “People don’t ask what were the conditions,” Letsoalo noted. He further alleged that RISE Mzansi was funded by the same entities that supported the previous chairperson of SCOPA, suggesting a pattern of funding directed toward those who oversaw changes at the RAF.
Letsoalo also challenged claims of improved claim payments under current management. He stated that during his tenure, the RAF paid approximately R4.6 billion monthly in claims, disputing assertions that current payments of R4.2 billion monthly represent an increase. “They’re reversing. They’re going backwards,” he said, emphasizing that financial statements require Auditor-General confirmation before conclusions can be drawn.
On policy matters, Letsoalo addressed discussions around third-party insurance models, arguing such proposals are impractical. He calculated that with approximately 14 million vehicles in South Africa, generating the RAF’s required R48 billion would require each vehicle owner to pay over R3,400 annually in levies—a figure he deemed unsustainable.
Regarding immigration compliance, Letsoalo referenced sections 42, 44, and 495 of the Immigration Act, stating his administration implemented protocols to verify foreign nationals’ legal status before processing payments—protocols he claims are now being reversed.
The Speaker of Parliament indicated that constitutional and legal services are reviewing relevant legislation to clarify parliamentary summons powers under Section 56 of the Constitution, though she noted this review would not cover the current matter involving Letsoalo.
Letsoalo concluded by reaffirming his willingness to engage with properly constituted parliamentary processes. “I’m not afraid of anything,” he stated. “What is right is serve me the summons.” He referenced a prior appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Transport where he raised concerns about ministerial interference, noting he remains awaiting a follow-up invitation to that committee.
The criminal charge, if pursued, could carry a penalty of up to 12 months imprisonment. Letsoalo said he “sleeps peacefully at night” despite the potential consequences.
