Embattled Road Accident Fund (RAF) CEO Collins Letsoalo allegedly spent over R10 million in public funds on his security detail, including a R4 million armoured BMW X5, over three years, according to a Sunday Times report.
Law enforcement sources revealed that Letsoalo’s security detail, comprising nine bodyguards, makes him the most protected state-owned entity (SOE) CEO, surpassing even ministers, who typically receive four guards. Only the president and deputy president have larger security teams (15-20 bodyguards).
However, the Transport Department and State Security Agency (SSA) confirmed they have no record of Letsoalo reporting threats or requesting a risk assessment.
A whistleblower disclosed that three of Letsoalo’s bodyguards are permanently assigned to his wife, Lily, and their children: despite RAF policies not covering spousal protection. Letsoalo insists his family is at risk due to his crackdown on fraudulent claims draining the RAF.
“The painful part is that my family [has been] put in harm’s way … because people now know how many bodyguards my family has,” Letsoalo told the Sunday Times. “I have done nothing wrong. There are bodyguards given to ministers, [but] who wants to kill ministers?”
Meanwhile, a preliminary Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report implicates Letsoalo in irregularities involving a R79 million lease for RAF’s Johannesburg offices. He denies interfering in the procurement process.
Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi stated the department was unaware of Letsoalo’s security costs until court proceedings revealed them. The SSA redirected inquiries to the Transport Department, which denied receiving any threat reports.
Letsoalo claims an attorney linked to an RAF fee dispute offered taxi bosses millions to kill him. The RAF board and SSA allegedly approved his heightened security, but neither agency has verified his claims.
“They had to get an armoured car. They must tell you why they got [it]. Besides, what is the value of my life and [the lives] of my family?” Letsoalo said.
The controversy adds to mounting scrutiny over SOE executives’ spending amid South Africa’s fiscal crisis.
