Road Accident Fund (RAF) CEO Collins Letsoalo has been placed on special leave with immediate effect following allegations of corruption linked to a R79 million office lease deal.
The decision was confirmed by the Transport Department’s spokesperson, Collen Msibi, in a live interview yesterday. Msibi stated that the RAF board, as the executive authority, took the step to allow the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to proceed with its probe without interference.
Allegations Under Investigation
The investigation centers on a controversial R79 million lease agreement for RAF offices in Sunninghill, Johannesburg. Letsoalo has been implicated in the deal, though Msibi indicated there may be additional aspects to the probe that have not yet been made public.
“Special leave does not necessarily mean disciplinary processes have been concluded,” Msibi clarified. “The SIU needs space to finalize its work, and further details will be shared in due course.”
Acting CEO Appointed
In the interim, Patu Detsunyane has been appointed as acting CEO. Msibi could not provide a timeline for the investigation’s completion but emphasized that updates would be shared as they become available.
Wider Implications
When asked whether other RAF officials were under investigation, Msibi suggested that other individuals involved in the lease approval process might also be scrutinized. However, he deferred to the board and SIU for further details.
The case has drawn significant public interest, given the RAF’s critical role in compensating victims of road accidents. Corruption allegations within the entity have raised concerns about governance and financial management.
Msibi assured the public that the department would provide more information as the investigation progresses. For now, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and transparency in the handling of the matter.