In an important meeting with Parliament, Collins Letsoalo, the CEO of South Africa’s Road Accident Fund (RAF), spoke strongly about his suspension. He shared his side of the story and raised concerns about how the RAF is being managed.
Why This Hearing Matters
This meeting helped Explain why “Letsoalo” Was suspended And what He Thinks about It. It also showed The Problems Inside the RAF And how They Affect People Who Rely on the Fund. The RAF is important because It helps people injured in Road Accidents.
Timeline of Suspension From Leave To Full Removal
- Special leave (27 May): Letsoalo was placed on leave while the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) looked into a R79‑million lease deal.
- Full suspension: The RAF board suspended him fully, saying he did not follow instructions when he refused to attend a SCOPA meeting in Parliament.
- Letsoalo’s response: He said the suspension was “unlawful” and “wrong,” because it was done without proper process.
Letsoalo’s Response
A Legal and Moral Defense
Letsoalo told Parliament that the suspension was not legal or fair. He said the RAF board didn’t follow the rules. He has taken legal steps and sent papers to court to challenge the board’s decision. He also said the board acted out of fear after the SIU investigation and because he didn’t attend the public meeting.
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RAF Governance Under Scrutiny
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee is now looking closely at how the RAF is managed. They want to find out if there are problems with money and leadership. Committee chairperson Selamolela said there will be another meeting soon to continue this work.
The Broader Picture “RAF Circus” In Full View
News24 said the hearing looked like a “circus,” showing just how broken things are inside the RAF. Many political leaders and members of the public are now watching closely to see what happens between Letsoalo and the board.
Legal Pushback: Letsoalo’s Court Offensive
Letsoalo is fighting back in court. He says the suspension hurt his reputation and broke the rules. He argues that his rights were ignored and the board had no right to suspend him like this. If the court agrees with him, it could make the board’s actions invalid.
RAF’s Systemic Crisis
The SIU is looking into many contracts worth R79 million or more. Letsoalo was also working as the Chief Claims Officer to help with a large claims backlog. Because of this, he received two bonuses. At the time, 17% of executive jobs at RAF were empty, so he took on more work.
Why This Matters For South Africans
This matters because The RAF helps People Who Are hurt In Car Accidents. If The RAF Is Not Managed Well, People lose Trust in it. Also, The RAF Owes R300 billion And Gets money From fuel Levies. So, the public deserves to know how their money is being used. This case also shows how important it is for leaders in state companies to follow the rules.
Conclusion
Collins Letsoalo’s speech to Parliament raised serious concerns about how the RAF is run. He believes he was suspended unfairly, and he is now fighting back in court. The RAF is under big pressure, both from financial problems and poor leadership. What happens next will affect not only Letsoalo, but also how South Africans view the people managing their public institutions.