Parliament, Wednesday, 26 November 2025 – The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has resolved to seek the concurrence of the Speaker of the National Assembly to lay a criminal charge against the former Chief Executive Officer of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Mr Collins Letsoalo, for failing to appear before Parliament after being lawfully summoned.
Earlier this month, and acting on a formal resolution of the committee, Parliament issued a summons to Mr Letsoalo. The summons instructed him to appear before SCOPA on 25 and 26 November 2025 to answer questions for purposes of SCOPA’s Oversight Enquiry into the RAF. The sheriff made several attempts to serve this summons at Mr Letsoalo’s known addresses, but each attempt failed. The summons was eventually served via a substituted service by publication on social media, email as well as by the Sheriff affixing it to the door.
The Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act gives Parliament clear authority to summon any person to appear before it, provide evidence under oath, and submit documents when required. Importantly, the Act states that anyone who refuses to appear, without valid reason, may be guilty of a criminal offence. Such failure is considered a contempt of Parliament.
Late on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, his attorney sent the committee a cease and desist letter in which he asserted that the committee does not have the authority to conduct the enquiry. Should the Speaker concur with the committee, criminal charges will be laid.
Cease and desist letter from Mr Collins Letsoalo’s attorneys: https://tinyurl.com/5abpukpx
SCOPA’s letter to Mr Collins Letsoalo’s attorneys: https://tinyurl.com/nhzfjwt2
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, MR SONGEZO ZIBI.
For media enquiries, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Faith Ndenze
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 377 0686
Email: fndenze@parliament.gov.za
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