Latest news with #CollinsLetsoalo
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Special leave for Road Accident Fund CEO as SIU investigates
Road Accident Fund (RAF) CEO Collins Letsoalo has been placed on special leave with immediate effect. In a statement, the Department of Transport said Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, as the delegated shareholder representative, had been informed by the RAF board of Letsoalo's special leave. The decision was made at a special meeting on Tuesday. 'The CEO will be on special leave until the conclusion of the relevant investigations by the Special Investigations Unit, or such earlier date as the board may determine. The board has indicated that this is a precautionary measure and does not constitute disciplinary action or presumption of guilt,' said the department yesterday. According to the statement, the decision was taken solely in the interest of good governance and as a precautionary step to facilitate ongoing investigative processes. 'It does not imply any prejudgment or adverse finding against the CEO. In making this decision, it must be noted that the board exercised its fiduciary duties in terms of the Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1996, the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999, and in alignment with the principles of good governance as set out in King IV.' Meanwhile, Phathutshedzo Lukhwareni will serve as the acting CEO to ensure continuity of operations. The deputy minister has directed that the matter be placed on the agenda for the board meeting he has called for June 9. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- The Herald
DA welcomes RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo's placement on special leave
The placement of Road Accident Fund CEO Collins Letsoalo on precautionary leave is a long-overdue but necessary step to ensure that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) can conduct its preliminary investigation without interference or influence, the DA said on Wednesday. The transport department said the decision was in the interest of good governance and a precautionary step to facilitate ongoing investigative processes. 'It does not imply any prejudgment or adverse finding against the CEO.' The DA said Letsoalo's temporary removal from office must facilitate full transparency and accountability, particularly in light of serious allegations concerning the RAF's governance failures, financial mismanagement and possible misconduct. Briefing the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) last month, the SIU said it had experienced a lack of co-operation from the RAF in its investigation into the affairs of the entity. 'There were instances where the SIU had to resort to opening a criminal case against a RAF executive for failure to adhere to a lawful subpoena issued by the SIU in terms of the SIU Act,' SIU head Any Mothibi said last month. The DA said the ministry of transport's support for the decision to place Letsoalo on leave must be followed by full co-operation with Scopa and law enforcement agencies. 'The precautionary suspension of the CEO is just the beginning. The DA will not rest until justice and good governance are restored at the RAF.' TimesLIVE
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) Receives Briefing from Road Accident Fund (RAF) on Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Special Leave and Ongoing SIU Investigation
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has instructed the minster to take urgent steps to restore the effectiveness of governance systems at the Road Accident Fund (RAF). The RAF Chief Executive Officer, Mr Collins Letsoalo, was placed on special leave on Monday, 26 May 2025. The committee has a litany of concerns, which include but are not limited to: That the board has failed properly to ensure that its senior officials are vetted for suitability, with the Chief Executive Officer informing the committee on 16 October 2024 that he had been vetted when this was not the case. Misleading Parliament is a serious breach of trust. Failure to perform background checks on a senior official, also unvetted, even though he escaped disciplinary charges at his previous state employer. The committee has consistently expressed extreme displeasure at the practice of state employees escaping accountability for serious misconduct by securing employment elsewhere in the state. Continuing for more than two years without ahead of legal services while pursuing litigation against the Auditor-General,and against the instructions of more than one Minister of Transport. Failure to appoint a Chief Claims Officer for more than two years despite a serious backlog of claims. Accumulating over R4bn in default judgements while failing to appoint either a head of legal services or Chief Claims Officer. The RAF has on numerous occasions been excoriated by the courts,including a case last week where the RAF attempted to overturn a R6m judgment by filing false statements with the court, and then proceeding not to argue its own application. Just two law firms in a panel of over 40receiving over 83% of legal fees (R83m) paid during the most recent financial year. The two law firms also received the bulk of payments in the previous financial year. The decision to place the CEO on special leave was taken by the board yesterday and announced to SCOPA by the Deputy Minister of Transport Mr Mkhuleko Hlongwa today in a meeting that was meant to discuss updates on the ongoing SIU investigations at RAF. RAF board Chairperson, Ms Zanele Francois, told SCOPA that the reason for the CEO special leave was due to a disagreement over whether the RAF should agree to account to Parliament, the content of the presentation and potential conflict in relation to the ongoing SIU investigation. The committee has instructed the board to provide comprehensive reasons in writing to the committee within a week. SCOPA has resolved to recall RAF to return with detailed explanations regarding the special leave of the CEO, a breakdown of spending on cases with a list of law firms, attorney and council fees. 'The Road Accident Fund is funded by taxpayers. It is unacceptable that any official thereof refuses to account to Parliament in the manner we have experienced during the past week. It is also unacceptable that the institution can accumulate billions in default judgments due to its failure to manage litigation properly, leaving the institution vulnerable to expensive default judgments that accumulate interest taxpayers must pay,' said Songezo Zibi, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: New lottery operator
Here's your daily news update for Wednesday, 28 May 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have announced the appointment of a new lottery operator. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Collins Letsoalo, has been placed on special leave with full pay. Furthermore, the Hawks confirmed this afternoon that they are investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud after a judge ordered in April that a copy of his order be forwarded to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for investigation and possible prosecution for not complying with the Companies Act. Weather tomorrow: 29 May 2025 Damaging winds and waves are expected between Saldanha Bay and Cape Agulhas in Western Cape, otherwise the day will usher in mostly fine and cool weather across the country. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Big change to Lotto operations: Will tickets be on sale next week? The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have announced the appointment of a new lottery operator. Minister Parks Tau confirmed that he had received a report from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) confirming an agreement with their preferred bidder. Picture: iStock The report on the concluded negotiations was received on Monday, but lottery players are still in the dark as to whether they can panda, pusha, playa next week. CONTINUE READING: Big change to Lotto operations: Will tickets be on sale next week? Six year old's family attempts to withdraw sexual assault case against Limpopo radio DJ The family of a six-year-old girl in Limpopo is attempting to withdraw a sexual assault case against a Limpopo radio DJ despite legal procedures preventing such action. A 34-year-old radio personality from Vhembe District was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a minor who is also a relative. Minor sexual assault. Image used for illustration. Picture: iStock The DJ, who works at a radio station based in Thohoyandou, appeared before the Waterval Magistrate's Court on Tuesday for a bail application, where family members made their withdrawal request known to authorities. CONTINUE READING: Six year old's family attempts to withdraw sexual assault case against Limpopo radio DJ RAF CEO placed on special leave with full pay, as MPs grill fund The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Collins Letsoalo, has been placed on special leave with full pay. This was confirmed during a Standing Committee on Public Accounts meeting in parliament on Wednesday. According to RAF board member Lekau Nyama, this is due to precautionary measures. RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo. Picture: RAF/X He has been implicated in alleged financial mismanagement and corruption. CONTINUE READING: RAF CEO placed on special leave with full pay, as MPs grill fund 'I looked for Joshlin when I was mourning my own daughter,' community member tells court The conviction of Joshlin Smith's mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, along with her co-accused, Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, may never fill the void left by the disappearance of the little girl, as they continue to seek answers from her mother. The three returned to the Western Cape High Court in Saldanha on Wednesday, where victim impact statements were read out. Joshlin Smith. Picture: Supplied On 2 May, Judge Nathan Erasmus found the three guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking. CONTINUE READING: 'I looked for Joshlin when I was mourning my own daughter,' community member tells court Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises The Hawks confirmed this afternoon that they are investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud after a judge ordered in April that a copy of his order be forwarded to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for investigation and possible prosecution for not complying with the Companies Act. Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed that the Hawks are investigating the matter after a case was opened at the Sandton police station. Peet and Melany Viljoen. Picture: Instagram/peetviljoen_ttn Judge Joseph Raulinga made the order after a prospective Tammy Taylor franchisee, Lebohang Hlathuka, sued Tammy Taylor Global Franchising as well as both the Real Housewives of Pretoria star and her husband to get back the R600 000 she paid for a Tammy Taylor franchise. CONTINUE READING: Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: RIP Presley Chweneyagae | Police hunt Olorato's suspected killer | Ramaphosa QA
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
DA welcomes RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo's placement on special leave
The placement of Road Accident Fund CEO Collins Letsoalo on precautionary leave is a long-overdue but necessary step to ensure that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) can conduct its preliminary investigation without interference or influence, the DA said on Wednesday. The transport department said the decision was in the interest of good governance and a precautionary step to facilitate ongoing investigative processes. 'It does not imply any prejudgment or adverse finding against the CEO.' The DA said Letsoalo's temporary removal from office must facilitate full transparency and accountability, particularly in light of serious allegations concerning the RAF's governance failures, financial mismanagement and possible misconduct. Briefing the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) last month, the SIU said it had experienced a lack of co-operation from the RAF in its investigation into the affairs of the entity. 'There were instances where the SIU had to resort to opening a criminal case against a RAF executive for failure to adhere to a lawful subpoena issued by the SIU in terms of the SIU Act,' SIU head Any Mothibi said last month. The DA said the ministry of transport's support for the decision to place Letsoalo on leave must be followed by full co-operation with Scopa and law enforcement agencies. 'The precautionary suspension of the CEO is just the beginning. The DA will not rest until justice and good governance are restored at the RAF.'
