SCOPA to Examine Multiple Allegations Concerning the Road Accident Fund

Cape Town  – The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) is set to investigate allegations of mismanagement, financial discrepancies, wasteful spending, and associated misconduct at the Road Accident Fund (RAF).

This announcement, made on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, follows months of unsuccessful efforts by the committee to obtain accurate and complete information from the RAF Board and its executive management.

The committee stressed that it cannot effectively carry out its mandate without receiving thorough and truthful information, along with the necessary context and supporting details from state entities.

Some of the committee’s main concerns include, but are not limited to:

• Insufficient background checks on senior management and executive appointments responsible for managing significant public funds, despite concerning histories of employment and disciplinary issues connected to reckless financial oversight.
• The RAF’s unwillingness to disclose to the committee information regarding the location and purpose of these funds.
• The ongoing failure to appoint crucial officials, such as a Chief Claims Officer, Head of Claims Operations, Head of Legal, Chief Corporate Support Officer, and Head of People Management, while important financial decisions affecting the RAF remain unaddressed or delayed.
• Clear governance failures that challenge the rule of law and the authority of Parliament, as well as the efficacy of Chapter 9 institutions assigned to supervise operations on behalf of the South African public.
• A number of whistleblower reports concerning supply chain irregularities exceeding R1 billion, amid a noticeable lack of internal management controls.

The committee noted that these allegations expose a lack of adequate oversight by the Board regarding management’s actions as per their statutory responsibilities.

The terms of reference are set to be approved on 1 July 2025, with the inquiry slated to commence after the August recess.

SCOPA Chairperson Mr. Songezo Zibi remarked: “The numerous complaints and related documentation submitted to the committee regarding the RAF call for an in-depth investigation, and we will propose measures to ensure the institution operates within legal and constitutional frameworks, fulfilling its duty to serve the public interest as intended.”

“Moreover, the inquiry will provide all individuals involved or implicated the opportunity to present their case under oath and receive a fair hearing before the committee reaches its conclusions.”