Road Accident Fund (RAF) CEO Collins Letsoalo Hailed as Hero for Taking a Stand Against Legal System Abuses and “Thuggish Attorneys” Collins Letsoalo, the CEO of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), has found himself at the centre of a heated legal and social debate, with many hailing him as a hero for his bold stance against the manipulation of the legal system by “thuggish” attorneys.

Letsoalo’s recent remarks have sparked a wave of support, with many praising his dedication to fairness and transformation while others decrying his combative approach to the legal profession.

The controversy began when Letsoalo responded to an open letter from Gert Nel Incorporated, a prominent law firm involved in road accident claims, rejecting accusations of a smear campaign against the firm. Letsoalo was quick to turn the tables, accusing the firm of actively fighting against transformation in South Africa’s road accident compensation system.

According to the RAF CEO, the firm, along with the Association for Protection of Road Accident Victims (APRAV)—a group founded by Gert Nel in 2014—has been waging a campaign to undermine efforts aimed at creating a fairer, no-fault compensation system. At the heart of Letsoalo’s response was the charge that Gert Nel Incorporated has consistently spread misinformation about the RAF, particularly after the publication of the Satchwell Commission’s recommendations to overhaul the road accident compensation framework.

Letsoalo emphasized that the RAF’s goal is to serve the public, ensuring that road accident victims receive fair compensation without unnecessary intermediaries. He made it clear that his organization would continue to stand firm against legal practitioners who prioritise their financial interests over the well-being of accident victims. “Gert Nel Incorporated and APRAV have never genuinely protected road accident victims,” Letsoalo said. “Instead, they have focused on fighting the implementation of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill (RABS Bill), which would bring fairness and equity to the system.”

His comments came in the wake of a recent ruling by the Gauteng High Court, which dismissed a claim for R10 million from a road accident victim who suffered head injuries in a taxi accident in 2017. The case, which involved the claim for loss of future earnings due to alleged cognitive impairments, had drawn significant attention, particularly as the RAF had labelled the case as fraudulent. Letsoalo had dismissed the claim as “meritless,” asserting that it was a blatant attempt to defraud the RAF and siphon funds from the state entity.

Despite the court’s dismissal of the claim, the plaintiff’s attorney, Renier van Rensburg Attorneys, applied for leave to appeal the decision, citing ongoing health issues suffered by the claimant, including memory problems and cognitive impairments.

However, Letsoalo remained steadfast in his criticism, calling the case a “fraudulent scheme” and accusing the attorneys involved of attempting to manipulate the system for financial gain. “Renier van Rensburg Incorporated would have pocketed R2.5 million out of this R10 million claim,” Letsoalo remarked during an RAF media briefing. “This is not a mistake.

This is a fraud, plain and simple.” Letsoalo’s comments have ignited a broader debate about the RAF’s role in South Africa’s road accident compensation system. While many have rallied behind him, citing his firm commitment to addressing systemic abuse, others have expressed concerns that his confrontational approach may alienate the legal community and undermine future collaboration between the RAF and attorneys.

However, Letsoalo has been unflinching in his resolve. He pointed to the RAF’s recent efforts to engage with professional organizations such as the Black Lawyers Association and the Law Society of South Africa, demonstrating the fund’s willingness to work with the legal fraternity for the benefit of claimants. He also reaffirmed the RAF’s commitment to working within the law, emphasizing that his goal is to create a more equitable and transformed system for all South Africans, not just a select few legal practitioners. “The history will reveal the truth,” Letsoalo concluded.

The Star

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RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo Hailed as a Hero for Taking a Stand Against Legal System Abuses and “Thuggish Attorneys”