RAF CEO dismisses claims he fraudulently approved a multi-million rand office lease

JOHANNESBURG - The Road Accident Fund (RAF)'s CEO, Collins Letsoalo, has dismissed claims that he fraudulently approved a multi-million rand office lease.

A leaked Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report alleges Letsoalo bypassed procurement processes to secure a R79 million lease for new RAF offices in Johannesburg.

But speaking to the media in Centurion on Monday, Letsoalo insisted that all procedures were followed correctly and said no evidence of wrongdoing has been presented to him or the fund.

“I sleep nicely at night knowing I’ve got nothing to fear, whether it’s an SIU investigation, any form of investigation, Public Protector’s investigation, whatever. I’m open to that.”

A defiant Letsoalo says the leaked report is nothing new, claiming it’s part of an effort to block his possible return to the RAF post when his term ends in August.

“I told you the last time I sat in front of you that my contract is coming to an end in August. So we are going to see all these funny things, rehearsing things from 2021. My name will be in the media for all these wrong reasons.”

Letsoalo also defended his track record, pointing to billions saved during his time at the helm.

“No one talks about the R36 billion that we have saved this organisation over the last five years… they just make innuendos. No one tells you the strategic plan we set for 2020 to 2025 has been achieved in full.”

He says the SIU has yet to make contact with him, calling into question the validity of the allegations.