Road Accident Fund (RAF) CEO Collins Letsoalo has been placed on an immediate special leave.

This was revealed by Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa today, May 27, 2025 during an update on the investigation by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) into the RAF. He was briefing Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa).

Hlengwa said he received reports about the leaked preliminary SIU report which implicated Letsoalo in likely wrongdoing in a R79 million lease for the fund’s Johannesburg regional office.

Hlengwa stated that he was informed on Tuesday night by the RAF board that at a meeting on Tuesday, the board resolved to place Letsoalo on special leave with full pay and all benefits effective immediately.

The RAF board further stated that this is a precautionary measure and does not constitute disciplinary action.

“This decision is taken solely in the interests of good governance and is a precautionary step to facilitate ongoing (SIU) investigative processes”.

The special leave is set to remain in place until the conclusion of all necessary investigations by the SIU.

Hlengwa added that, “We are aware of an investigation going on, but in terms of where that investigation is in terms of whether there are any outcomes, all we have is what is in the public domain, and that there have been certain processes and issues”.

During this suspension period of Letsoalo, it is said that Phathutshedzo Lukhwareni will serve as acting RAF CEO to ensure continuity of operations.