Chairperson, the DA has in its possession a number of documents that suggest that the mismanagement and fraud allegations against the chief executive officer of the Road Traffic Management Corporation, Ranthoko Rakgoale, were well founded. These documents have been provided to the DA by a number of whistle-blowers at the RTMC.
It is alarming that despite the existence of these documents, which indicate pervasive fraud and corruption and mismanagement at the hands of Mr Rakgoale, he has not been suspended and is still firmly in his seat as chief executive officer of the RTMC. These documents indicate that there are indisputable and clear grounds that show the chief executive officer must be suspended, followed by a full and independent investigation.
The allegations against Mr Rakgoale first came to light in a Sunday Times article on 7 July 2009. At that time, the DA called for an investigation into these allegations and subsequently wrote three letters to the Minister of Transport, requesting Ranthoko Rakgoale's suspension, pending a full investigation. No reply was received from the Minister.
The DA then raised the issue in a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, and the chairperson there agreed to liaise with the Minister in this regard. The DA further issued numerous parliamentary questions to the Minister, with the hope of obtaining clarification on the matter, and only two of these questions were answered.
These documents prove this matter is no longer a subject for debate. They categorically prove that there was an extensive series of highly problematic undertakings involving the chief executive officer.
Thus, the DA believes the following must happen. It is clear that there has been sufficient evidence for the chief executive officer to be investigated; it is unclear why such investigations have not been carried out.
In light of this evidence, the DA calls for the immediate suspension of the RTMC chief executive officer. Should the immediate suspension of the chief executive officer not occur, the DA will seriously consider laying charges itself. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]