
'Do you want us to die in silence?' Suspended RAF execs claim they're receiving death threats
ALSO READ:
• Modiba and Letsoalo say their suspension from the RAF is 'baseless'
• RAF rescinds decision to place CEO Letsoalo on special leave, replaces it with suspension
• SIU probing RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo over R79m lease
• Suspended RAF CEO Letsoalo will still receive his full pay & benefits
Letsoalo and Modiba claimed that their suspensions were not about misconduct, but retaliation.
They allege that judges, lawyers, and even the RAF's board chairperson, Lorraine Francios, were at the centre of financial mismanagement at the state-owned fund.
Letsoalo added that his failure to appear at a SCOPA hearing in May, which was cited as another reason for his suspension, was because he was placed on special leave a day before by the board chairperson, who then told him not to attend.
On the other hand, the CIO, Modiba, also dismissed claims that he misled the RAF about his exit from the City of Johannesburg.
Letsoalo told the media that they would fight to maintain their integrity.
"What would you rather we do? Do you want us to die in silence or you want us to deliver an ostrich post and say they are coming for us? We are ready, where this comes from, we are ready, we will show you how systematically we are being bullied."
Letsoalo added that that he was prepared to give his life to ensure the truth was revealed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Eyewitness News
16 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa establishes 5th commission of inquiry since becoming head of state
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has established his fifth commission of inquiry since becoming head of state, leading to some opposition parties accusing him of indecisive leadership. On Sunday, Ramaphosa announced he was setting up a judicial commission of inquiry to look into corruption allegations within the top brass of the country's law enforcement agencies. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa puts Mchunu on leave of absence, inquiry to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations This follows bombshell allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of a criminal syndicate embedded in the country's police, judiciary, business and political class. When Ramaphosa became president in 2018, he established three commissions of inquiry. In 2025, he established two. While the state capture commission was established by President Jacob Zuma, it ran entirely under Ramaphosa's presidency. Reactions from political parties have focused on how these commissions have cost the state a lot of money without much return. GOOD Party secretary general Brett Herron said the government already has in-house institutions like the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), whose mandate is to investigate corruption. 'The appointment of a commission of inquiry, while well-intentioned, is too slow, too cumbersome, and too costly. We've walked this road before, most notably with the Zondo commission, and we have seen a commission of inquiry cannot replace a criminal investigation.' Ramaphosa said the South African Police Service (SAPS) commission will have to provide interim reports on the first three and six months of its work.


Daily Maverick
18 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Nelson Mandela Day, critical climate discussions and more events this week in civil society
This week, join a range of events focused on climate justice, anti-corruption, children's rights, and youth empowerment, ending with the annual Nelson Mandela Day Walk and Run on 19 July. On Tuesday, 15 July, at 10am, the Institute for Economic Justice will host a webinar on how South Africa's new Climate Change Act can advance a just transition in the food system. During the webinar, experts will break down key provisions of the act, spotlight advocacy opportunities, and explore how civil society can play a leading role in ensuring climate justice includes food justice. Register for the webinar here. On Wednesday, 16 July, at 10am, the Institute for Security Studies will host a seminar on the Special Investigating Unit's achievements and challenges, and how to secure its future success. 'The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is reputed to be South Africa's most effective anti-corruption agency. New research by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) undertaken in cooperation with the SIU examined the factors associated with its success and the challenges the unit faces in combating corruption. This seminar will discuss key research findings and recommendations for the SIU's future,' the ISS said. Panellists include: On Thursday, 17 July at 1pm, the Dullah Omar Institute's Children's Rights Project will host the first instalment of a webinar series exploring children's rights. The webinar, Children's Rights and Business in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, aims to build and sustain a focused Africa-wide discourse on the subject. 'The business sector has significant implications for the realisation of children's rights in Africa, both negative and positive. While businesses contribute to beneficial societal outcomes and economic growth in ways that support the realisation of the rights of children, their operations, products and policies can also adversely impact children's rights,' the institute said. Panellists include: Opal Sibanda Chairman Okoloise Nimrod Muhumuza Register for the webinar here. Friday, 18 July is International Nelson Mandela Day, where people, communities and organisations around the world will reflect on Mandela's values to make a positive impact on their communities. Here are the events that will take place in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day: Licebo Harvest will spend the day teaching young people about agriculture and community building on the organisation's farm. The youth will learn how to plant and harvest crops, understand farm management techniques, and get hands-on experience in a real farm setting. To attend, RSVP to Vuyo at 060 469 8725. Maruma Bantfu is running an essay-writing contest to commemorate Mabiba's legacy of social justice, change and unity. Grade 8-12 learners are encouraged to submit 300-500-word essays on the following question: How to create non-violent, harmless and safe communities for children? The winning entry will be announced and celebrated on 18 July 2025. Entries close on 16 July. Learners can submit their essays here. On Friday, 18 July at 12.30pm, Life After Coal will host a webinar on the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The webinar will unpack what the NDC is and how civil society can engage with South Africa's next big climate commitment. Register here. On Saturday, 19 July, the Nelson Mandela Foundation will host the highly anticipated Nelson Mandela Day Walk and Run at Wanderers Stadium. The annual event is dedicated to promoting community service and inspiring positive change within our communities. Venue: DP World Wanderers Stadium, Corlett Drive, Illovo, Sandton, Johannesburg.

IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Collins Letsoalo, the suspended RAF CEO claims corruption within the legal fraternity
Collins Letsoalo, suspended RAF CEO during a media briefing claimed there is corruption within the legal fraternity Image: File SUSPENDED Road Accident Fund CEO Collins Letsoalo, during a media briefing held on Saturday, together with chief investment officer Sefotle Modiba, attributed many of the problems at the fund to 'corruption' within the legal fraternity, which he claimed included the judiciary. Letsoalo and Modiba, who has also been suspended, said they were being targeted for trying to expose corruption within the fund. The aim of the briefing was to provide 'context' into the reasons behind their suspensions. While Letsoalo was soon due to once again face Judge Nasious Moshoanathe to ask for leave to appeal against the judgment in which the judge refused Letsoalo's urgent application to immediately be reinstated, Letsoalo was clear that he thought the judge was biased from the start. He said his and Modiba's journey at the RAF was one of victimhood. 'We have been victimised all the time. One does not know why. It would seem people want to believe when we arrived at the RAF everything was fine, but that is not true.' Letsoalo said before he took over in 2020, the RAF was repurposed into a looting vehicle where people could 'loot legally." He referred to one law firm, which he said at the time made R1.2 billion a year from the fund. 'We are dealing with corruption, which permeates itself across the legal fraternity. Our judiciary comes from the legal fraternity. So the question you must ask yourself is when is this Damascus moment when this plaintiff attorney or panel attorney suddenly becomes a judge and suddenly becomes honest?' Letsoalo said while he has evidence against the 'corrupt' legal fraternity, nobody wants to hear him. He was told to present his evidence to the Judicial Service Commission, but believes that the JSC will, in any event, do nothing about it. Speaking about first being placed on special leave and later on suspension, Letsoalo said the reason given was that he did not attend a Scopa meeting on May 28. But, he explained, he was placed on special leave the previous day and told not to attend the Scopa meeting. 'Then they tell me I'm placed on special leave because I did not attend Scopa. It's absolute nonsense, but certain judges believe they were right,' he said in referring to Judge Moshoanathe's findings against him during his recent urgent application to have his suspension lifted. Letsoalo also referred to the fact that his urgent application was moved by the judge president from being heard on the urgent roll to a week later when it was placed on the special motion roll. He said the judge who was due to hear the matter was changed twice - and that the matter was eventually given to Judge Moshoanathe - who issued a scathing judgment against him. He also questioned how, under these circumstances, he was still slapped with a costs order. But, Letsoalo said, he was a man of integrity and he was ready for the battle to prove that the judiciary had been captured. 'I will show you the capture of the judiciary - they close ranks and they change the rules,' he said.