Latest news with #MkhulekoHlengwa
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 South African
6 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Road Accident Fund CEO placed on special leave
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Collins Letsoalo, has been placed on special leave with immediate effect. In a statement, the Department of Transport said that Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, as the delegated shareholder representative was informed by the board of the RAF of Letsoalo's special leave. The decision was made at a special meeting on Tuesday, 27 May. 'The CEO will be on special leave until the conclusion of the relevant investigations by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), 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 on Wednesday. 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 Chief Executive Officer to ensure continuity of operations. The Deputy Minister has directed that this matter be placed on the agenda for the board meeting he has called for 9 June 2025. 'Normal' or do you suspect something more sinister? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- IOL News
No more freeloading from the RAF, it's not a lottery, warns the Deputy Transport Minister Hlengwa
Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers OPPORTUNISTS looking to freeload from the Road Accident Fund with tall stories of misfortune or deliberately harm themselves to secure pay days must refrain from such activities. That was warning sounded by Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa to those who planned to perpetrate acts of fraud to benefit unfairly and drain the RAF of resources that could benefit deserving claims. Hlengwa made those utterances about fraudsters trying to hit the jackpot with their fictitious claims at the launch of the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week campaign in Durban on Sunday. The RAF's Snegugu Mavundla said that the entity was beset with constant fraudulent claims, which triggered the Minister's reaction. Mavundla said that at times, they were unable to help members of the public because there were people who lie and cheat, or plan to throw themselves in front of moving vehicles because they know they will get millions of rands in return. However, the RAF was now in a position to side-step such claims because there were many steps to go through before a supposed road crash victim gets their hands on money they thought they would get. In response, Hlengwa told those harbouring hopes of getting hurt in road incidents that, 'there is no money and National Treasury says they were only collecting R2,17 from every litre of petrol or diesel at the pumps and had to give money to the RAF, besides it's one of the things increasing the cost of living in South Africa'. 'Go look for other ways to get money because soon we will close the R2,17 per litre tap.' He said because of the exorbitant amounts collected from the RAF, he and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy have agreed and have written a draft bill, which they will take to Parliament, which will then reduce the amount payable to people. Hlengwa said the RAF is not the lotto. 'It serves as government intervention for those who cannot help themselves. Therefore, we curse this abuse of the RAF,' Hlengwa said. Hlengwa also expressed concern over road safety in South Africa. 'Let us not speed on the roads,' Hlengwa said. 'We encourage having a second driver for long distances so there is rest every 200km, every two hours because another thing the RTMC and the department realised when releasing statistics is that driver exhaustion behind the wheel has a big impact in causing crashes.' He added: 'I want to, therefore, indicate that it is of critical importance that we do the right things, have the right driver behind the steering wheel, and ensure the roadworthiness of our vehicles on the road. When you are a driver, you don't just drive your own vehicle, you drive the entire ecosystem, you drive all vehicles around you. It forces you to be observant.' [email protected] DAILY NEWS
IOL News
13-05-2025
- IOL News
The RAF is not a lottery, says Deputy Transport Minister Hlengwa
Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa has sent a message to those trying to defraud the Road Accident Fund (RAF), saying it is not a lottery jackpot. Hlengwa made these comments launching the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week campaign in Durban on Sunday. The RAF's Snegugu Mavundla, who said fraud was a challenge within the government agency, sparked the Minister's reaction. Mavundla said that at times, they cannot help the public because there are people who lie, plan or throw themselves in front of moving vehicles because they know they will get millions of rands. However, now the RAF can avoid this because there are many steps to go through before the road crash victim gets the money they thought they would get. Reacting, Hlengwa told those budgeting on getting hurt in road incidents that, 'there is no money and National Treasury says since we are collecting R2,17 a litre of petrol or diesel at the pumps and then giving the RAF, it's one of the things increasing the cost of living in South Africa'. 'Go look for other ways to get money because soon we will close the R2,17 per litre tap.' He said because of the exorbitant amounts collected from the RAF, he and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy have agreed and have written a draft bill, which they will take to Parliament, which will reduce the amount payable to people. Hlengwa said the RAF is not the lotto. 'It serves as government intervention for those who cannot help themselves. Therefore, we curse this abuse of the RAF,' Hlengwa said. Meanwhile, Hlengwa also expressed concern over road safety in South Africa. 'Let us not speed on the roads,' Hlengwa said. 'We encourage having a second driver for long distances so there is rest every 200km, every two hours because another thing the RTMC and the department when releasing statistics is that exhaustion on the road behind the wheel has a big impact in causing crashes.' He added: 'I want to, therefore, indicate that it is of critical importance that we do the right things, have the right driver behind the steering wheel, and ensure the roadworthiness of our vehicles on the road. When you are a driver, you don't just drive your own vehicle, you drive the entire ecosystem, you drive all vehicles around you. It forces you to be observant.'
IOL News
12-05-2025
- IOL News
Transport Deputy Minister highlights urgent need for pedestrian road safety
Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the national Department of Transport will be disseminating an important message: let's be safe on the roads. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers In a concerted push to enhance road safety, the National Department of Transport launched the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week campaign at one of Durban's busiest taxi ranks on Sunday. Running from May 12 to 18, the campaign, themed 'Make Walking and Cycling Safe,' aims to illuminate the critical need for awareness regarding the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa delivered a poignant message highlighting alarming statistics regarding pedestrian safety. He stated that 44% of those killed during Easter were pedestrians. 'This means we still need to engage on a higher level with South Africans on respecting the rules of the road. It's small issues, but they are important. Do not cross where it is not allowed. If there are robots, go and cross at the robots and don't weave between vehicles. Freeways are not for walking. Let's wear bright clothing when walking on the roads at night so that motorists and other road users can see us. Let us not drink and walk on the road. Let us not drink and drive,' Hlengwa said. 'The message for the week and all days that will follow is to talk more about the importance of road safety.' Hlengwa said that for the whole of next week, the national department will be in KwaZulu-Natal, visiting various areas, disseminating an important message: let's be safe on the roads. EThekwini human settlements, engineering and transport chairperson Themba Mvubu said the launch should send a strong message because they want the city to play a meaningful role in road safety issues. 'During this campaign, we want to make walking and cycling safe. We strongly believe that we can succeed in this if we intensify law enforcement,' Mvubu said. 'We are pleased that this city developed the non-motorised transport bylaw, which empowers the municipality to establish non-motorised facilities and provide for their use and regulation. The bylaw will also assist us in enhancing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, joggers and vulnerable road users,' Mvubu explained. EThekwini human settlements, engineering and transport chairperson Themba Mvubu, Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa and Santaco regional chairperson Yusuf Khaliva. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He said they are concerned about the number of people dying on the roads despite the government's efforts, which saw improved law enforcement, road infrastructure and educational campaigns. Mvubu said research shows most road accidents are attributed to human actions. Therefore, campaigns should primarily aim to influence the awareness of road users. South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) regional chairperson Yusuf Khaliva said they might not realise the dual role of pedestrians. On the one hand, pedestrians are pedestrians, and on the other hand, they are passengers. 'If we ignore pedestrians, it means we don't pay attention to our passengers,' Khaliva said. 'Our drivers must understand that pedestrians always have the right of way. When it comes to cyclists, even though we haven't been trained yet, we wish in the next module, to those who will train us, to train us under what conditions a person has the right of way.' Nelisiwe Mkhabela of the Southern African Bus Operators Association (Saboa) said that as the voice of the bus industry and drivers of safe, reliable and sustainable bus transport, they stand united behind the call to make walking and cycling safe. 'Together we must prioritise the safety of all road users and drive the transformation towards safer streets across South Africa,' Mkhabela said. Mandla Ngobese of the Transport Education Training Authority (Teta) said they are committed to driving road safety initiatives within the transport sector. 'As Teta, we are eager to support the United Nations Global Safety Week, which is aimed at saving lives and strengthening transport networks within the transport sector,' Ngobese said.
