‘Police must fetch Letsoalo and physically bring him to Parliament’
Labour federation COSATU has added its voice to growing calls for action to be taken against former RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo.
The organisation says his refusal to obey summons issued by Parliament is a direct assault on democratic oversight and must carry consequences.
Letsoalo failed to appear before SCOPA for a second consecutive day on Wednesday.
His lawyers wrote to Parliament Tuesday night, insisting the committee is not the appropriate platform to question him.
SCOPA is conducting an enquiry against RAF for possible maladministration.
COSATU’s Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks says Parliament cannot allow anyone to choose whether they will account or not.
“If you don’t appear before Parliament, it’s contempt of court, so for us it’s absolutely unacceptable for Mr. Letsoalo to ridicule Parliament. And our request urgently, Parliament must issue a charge against him, the police must assist and fetch Mr. Letsoalo and physically bring him to Parliament. He must be held accountable. It would a very dangerous and slippery slope if people will begin to choose whether or not they will account to Parliament.”
Video: Road Accident Fund | SCOPA wants Letsoalo charged
SCOPA has moved to press criminal charges against Letsoalo. This after his refusal to appear despite being served with a summons.
The committee says a late-night letter from his lawyers, effectively dismissed SCOPA’s authority, leaving it no other options.
Before charges being filed, SCOPA must secure concurrence with the Office of the Speaker, Thoko Didiza.
The decision marks the committee’s strongest step yet in its probe into the Road Accident Fund’s financial turmoil and deepens the standoff between Parliament and the embattled former CEO.