Suspended RAF CEO accuses judicial elites of orchestrating a campaign to remove him

Collins Letsoalo, the suspended chief executive of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), has accused legal and judicial elites of orchestrating a campaign to remove him from office following his controversial decision to disband a panel of attorneys he labelled “greedy and corrupt.”

Letsoalo, suspended on June 3 after initially being placed on special leave the week before, was first accused of misconduct. When the initial charges didn’t stick, he was charged instead with “insubordination.”

He claims his suspension was unlawful and part of a broader conspiracy rooted in his efforts to clean up the RAF and disrupt a long-standing legal gravy train.

In court papers filed on Friday at the Gauteng High Court, Letsoalo is seeking urgent relief to set aside his suspension, block the RAF board from advertising his position, and reinstate his security detail. He argues the decision to suspend him was irrational, unlawful, and a direct response to his call for a commission of inquiry into court decisions involving the multi-billion rand fund. The demand has clearly ruffled feathers in the legal fraternity.

Letsoalo alleged systemic bias within the judiciary and a “toxic legal fraternity” colluding to sideline him for challenging entrenched interests. “The real sin I committed,” he said, “was terminating a panel of attorneys who were bleeding the RAF dry. Some of them have since become judges. It is no coincidence that we’re now being slapped with personal cost orders.”

He raised concerns about judges presiding over RAF matters despite prior ties to the now-defunct legal panel. He believes this undermines judicial impartiality and insists only an independent commission — “not led by any retired judge”—can uncover the truth.

Pressed on why he did not report these concerns to the Judicial Service Commission, Letsoalo told The Star it was a “catch-22.”

“At the time, we were in the middle of major legal battles. Our credibility was being shredded in public. Any complaint would’ve just added fuel to the fire.”

He also detailed alarming threats to his safety, citing a 2024 incident when armed men stormed RAF offices in Centurion demanding to see him — allegedly sent by a prisoner. “The threats have been consistent, especially from the taxi industry. I was advised by police intelligence to beef up security.”

Letsoalo’s suspension follows an ongoing Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into a R79 million lease deal. He contends that he was never given a chance to respond to preliminary findings, which were presented in Parliament without his input. “Due process was ignored,” he said.

His urgent court bid also reveals tensions with RAF Board Chairperson Lorraine Francois. Letsoalo says Francois accused him of being overly influenced by his lawyers and offered him “compassionate leave” to clear his mind — an offer he declined. He later learned of his suspension via an email received during a live Scopa (Standing Committee on Public Accounts) meeting.

Letsoalo insists his removal is politically and financially motivated. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) echoed this sentiment, calling his suspension a “witch hunt.”

EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said, “Letsoalo is being targeted for his anti-corruption stance and for exposing collusion in the judiciary and legal networks draining the RAF.”

Letsoalo has led the RAF since 2020, with his term set to end in August. Ironically, the same board that suspended him had earlier resolved to renew his contract.

The RAF Board has yet to respond to Letsoalo’s allegations. They have until June 11 to file answering papers. Letsoalo’s case is scheduled for an urgent hearing on June 17.