Dear Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA),

I am an Independent Industrial Psychologist, Christelle Botha. In the years between 2017 - 2021, I provided my services in the capacity of expert witness - Industrial Psychologist to the Road Accident Fund.
I must mention that to this regard instructions were received from the RAF or the then appointed RAF attorney (by means of a formal instruction letter).
Following such instruction an assessment was conducted,
and thereafter proper analysis done on findings (including analysis of other expert reports); at which time a report would have been written. Kindly note that an assessment with analysis and report writing can take a day to possibly 3 days (depending on the complexity of the claim) [note that the RAF was invoiced on a fixed tariff (therefore one price for receiving instructions, assessment consultation and report writing) based on their suggested tariff rates and I was a registered expert tendered under the RAF's expert panel].

Such reports then provided them (RAF) with the bases on which to calculate loss of work and as such earnings capacity (as part of RAF claim process).
Multiple invoices for services long delivered (dating back to 2017) have not yet been paid; however the RAF has already used such report/ analysis findings to settle or conclude their claims. The RAF has therefore in effect stolen my intellectual property; as they have not paid for services rendered to this regard.

I urge you to please provide me with the necessary support to receive payment for my work (intellectual property). As an individual that was / remains self-employed; the committee must please understand the devastating impact the non-payment of such invoices has caused financially.

Please assist me with the payment of my RAF invoices - this for services that have been long delivered and already utilized by the RAF to settle their claims.

I sincerely hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards,
Christelle Botha
Industrial Psychologist