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EFF Member of Parliament Veronica Mente put Road Accident Fund (RAF) executives under pressure during a SCOPA oversight inquiry, raising red flags over a R480,000 security contract approved for the RAF CEO.
What Happened
During the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) session, Honourable Mente questioned the legitimacy of a R480,000 procurement of personal security services for the RAF Chief Executive Officer. According to Mente, the service was classified as a fringe benefit yet appeared to have been paid for using operational funds, raising serious procurement concerns.
She further interrogated the RAF officials about the classification of the benefit and its approval process, alleging contradictions in how the expense was justified and implemented.
Official Response
While RAF officials maintained that the procurement followed internal procedures, Mente outlined blurred lines between personal benefit and institutional spending.
She demanded clear answers on:
- Whether the procurement was approved under operational budgets or fringe benefits.
- What salary scale protection officers fall under.
- Why such a high-risk security detail was contracted at rates not matching the claimed level of threat.
“How do you justify such spending as operational while the benefit clearly favours one individual?” she asked.
Her line of questioning called for greater transparency and compliance with National Treasury regulations on public spending.
Community Impact
The Road Accident Fund is funded through public resources, and procurement irregularities particularly for high-cost executive perks may erode public trust.
Mente’s questioning is part of broader efforts by SCOPA to ensure accountability, financial discipline, and value-for-money across state entities.
Parliament is expected to follow up with formal requests for documentation and justification from the RAF.
