Scopa searching for former RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo, subpoena issued through electronic channels
Scopa has served a subpoena on former Road Accident Fund CEO Collins Letsoalo via electronic means.
Image: Supplied
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), which is dealing with an inquiry into financial misconduct at the Road Accident Fund (RAF), is searching for the fund's former CEO Collins Letsoalo.
Scopa chairperson Songezo Zibi on Friday informed the committee that the sheriff of the court could not find Letsoalo at any of his listed addresses to serve the summons to appear on him. The summons was issued when Letsoalo failed to respond to a letter of demand.
The committee wants Letsoalo to testify at the inquiry next week.
The parliamentary inquiry is probing maladministration, financial impropriety, and misuse of public funds at the RAF.
Since the commencement of testimonies earlier this month, several witnesses have implicated Letsoalo in key decisions that they said were detrimental to the entity’s well-being.
Zibi said the sheriff of the court has sent a return of service to the parliamentary legal services.
“They have attempted to locate Mr Letsoalo at various addresses. They have not been able to find him,” he said.
Zibi said the one address Letsoalo gave to Scopa was not inhabited, and another address appears to have people, but nobody is answering.
“We have then been advised that we can also re-issue electronically, which means it will be sent to every channel that we know that he can access,” he said in reference to notification by text message, email, and a redacted copy of the summons in the parliamentary digital channels.
Zibi also said the electronic summons will have enough information for Letsoalo to know that he was needed in Parliament on Tuesday.
Fatima Ebrahim, parliamentary legal advisor, said Secretary to Parliament Xolile George has authorised the re-issue of the summons to serve Letsoalo via email and the parliamentary website.
“We will put it up there, and I have asked the media unit to ensure that they post it on other social media platforms or whatever they use.”
“I am fairly confident Mr Letsoalo is well aware that he needs to be in Parliament on Tuesday, notwithstanding that summons have not been served on him personally. It is already in the public domain, and I would expect that he would be following the proceedings as erstwhile CEO and was aware that the committee commenced with proceedings,” she added.
Zibi said if Letsoalo fails to appear, the inquiry will adjourn on the day. RAF board members are scheduled to give their testimonies at public hearings next week.