The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) concluded its week-long oversight to Gauteng on Friday at the Road Accident Fund (RAF) headquarters. On arrival, the committee was barred from entering the building in Menlyn, Pretoria, despite RAF’s executives being made aware of the visit beforehand.
When the committee eventually gained access after a protracted telephone exchange between the committee, Department of Transport officials and the RAF’s executive, whose absence was conspicuous, SCOPA soon realised why it had struggled to enter the building. The reign of chaotic disorder that characterises RAF’s working conditions soon became apparent.
The meandering hallway of RAF’s offices was littered with boxes upon boxes lining the walls, spilling onto the floor in manner that resembled the clutter of a dumping site. The committee also learnt that most personnel are squatting in offices belonging to others and have brought their own chairs to sit on, because much of their office furniture has been confiscated by an order of the sheriff due to RAF’s failure to abide by several court rulings. Office desks and chairs currently in use bear sheriff stickers, signalling their imminent attachment.
While the committee conducted its inspection, an RAF employee came bearing a bunch of new writs of defaulted court judgments. He told the committee if the writs are not settled more furniture will be confiscated.
“To say RAF’s offices are not conducive for a working environment is an understatement. We had not imagined the situation we are confronted with. What we have seen here is a mess,” commented the Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa. He continued: “Why RAF is in the public domain for the wrong reasons, we have experienced it today. Now we have recognised the magnitude of its problem.” He further stated that he now knew why the Auditor-General (AG) shied away from conducting its work at RAF. “The AG doesn’t even want to touch RAF because there’s no integrity in doing so.”
The chaos that besieges RAF is a clear indication that RAF is an institution in crisis, he stated. Hence, there is a standoff between it and the AG. In his view, this is a result of a dysfunctional board, which does not quorate, but is in office illegally. He urged the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Lisa Mangcu, to look into this because it is one of the root causes of the crisis at RAF. “Minister, RAF is a car wreck and something’s got to give. We have asked for a report on why a board that does not quorate is still in office, but we never got a reply from RAF’s accounting officers.”
“We have a discontent board and the executive which contribute to employees’ trust deficit. A situation indicative of RAF that is in intensive care unit, leaderless and directionless and that cry for help. Deputy minister, please help,” he urged him. RAF’s refusal to let Members of Parliament conduct oversight over it constitutes a violation of the Constitution and is indicative that something untoward is going on at RAF, he claimed.
Mr Hlengwa went on to suggest: “Maybe, there’s a need for a forensic investigation on the financial management of RAF; unveil what lies beneath its messy affairs. Because the greatest risk to RAF is RAF itself. Deputy minister, we would like to get a report on RAF efficacy in 30 days because what is going on at RAF is a national disaster.”
Source: Parliament of South Africa