South Africa's Road Accident Fund ex‑CEO faces criminal charge as SCOPA orders repayment of misused funds

South Africa's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) chaired by Songezo Zibi said former Road Accident Fund (RAF) executives and board members must personally repay money that was unaccounted for during their tenure. The committee plans to recommend recovery of millions of rand spent on litigation, including roughly R20 million on legal battles with the Auditor General.

SCOPA also laid a criminal charge against former RAF chief Collins Letsoalo for failing to appear before the committee after being summoned in November. Political analyst Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast described the move as a clear sign of parliamentary oversight, while Corruption Watch director Lebogang Ramafoko welcomed the action, noting the fund’s role in supporting vulnerable accident victims.

The committee intends to include guidelines for future board appointments and to process outstanding claims that had previously expired. These steps aim to tighten governance and financial management at the state‑supported insurance fund.