Former CEO of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Collins Letsoalo on Tuesday was a no-show at the parliamentary inquiry probing maladministration, financial impropriety and misuse of public funds at the entity.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) set aside Tuesday for Letsoalo’s appearance after serving him with a subpoena at his last known address.

At the scheduled start of the meeting, the former RAF boss had not arrived, prompting the committee to hold a meeting to decide on the next step of action.

Scopa decided last month to issue a summons to Letsoalo after he failed to respond to a final letter of demand aimed at securing his voluntary appearance.

On Friday, it decided to re-issue a subpoena after persistent attempts to serve a summons through traditional methods, fell short.

An electronic summons was to be served via text message, email and the parliamentary digital platforms, and the sheriff was authorised to drop off a copy of the summons at the door of Letsoalo’s residence.

Briefing the committee, Scopa chairperson Songezo Zibi said parliamentary legal advisor Fatima Ebrahim sent Letsoalo a text message on Friday and he responded, saying he has appointed attorneys, who should be contacted.

Letsoalo also told Ebrahim to refrain from harassing him and to “also stop this nonsense of claiming I have gone in hiding and I can’t be found”.

Zibi said there was a letter that was circulated purporting to be from Letsoalo but this letter was not sent to Scopa.

He also said the parliamentary IT section checked the email server and found that the email was sent but bounced on Friday.

Fatima tried to reach out to the number in the letter on Monday and asked that Letsoalo’s letter be sent again and also shared her personal email address.

“We still don’t have an email,” Zibi said.

Ebrahim tried to reach out to the number in the letter on Monday and asked that Letsoalo’s letter be sent again. She also shared her personal email address.

Zibi noted that Letsoalo had previously challenged the authority of Scopa in conducting the inquiry into the RAF’s affairs.

“We have taken advice on whether the scope of work is within the rules. The advice is it is,” he said, adding that National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza concurred with Scopa and agreed to issue a summons.

DA MP Patrick Atkinson said if Letsoalo did not appear before Scopa, he may have committed a criminal offence.

“We should call for his prosecution and lay charges,” Atkinson said.

A person who fails to pear when subpoenaed without reasonable cause is guilty of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months.

ANC MP Gijimani Skosana said they should wait until Wednesday and then make a decision on the next step.

“We did all in our powers to try and get him to attend this inquiry,’ said Skosana. “If he is not here tomorrow we must make a firm decision,” he added.

EFF MP Veronica Mente said they must not be quick to make a decision and should be very patient.

ActionSA Mp Alana Beesley said Letsoalo was showing the middle finger to Parliament.

“I would support the full might of law being taken on the matter,” Beesley said.

MK Party MP Talente Khubheka said whatever the outcome of the back and forth with Letsoalo, Parliament should not end up being a toothless dog.

“People must not think it is okay or acceptable to disrespect Parliament,” Khubheka said.

Zibi said they would remain within the parliamentary precinct for the duration of the set time for the public hearing on Tuesday and that Ebrahim would make contact with Letsoalo’s attorneys during the day.

“If he sends a letter, we can move onto the next steps,” he said.

“We really would have taken reasonable steps to ensure Mr Letsoalo is here,” Zibi added.

He said that Parliament has an obligation to run its processes and Letsoalo has had the most exchanges with Scopa “to the point he feels we are harassing him”.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

Source link