Road Accident Fund (RAF) South Africa: Key Updates, Reforms & Controversies – August 2026

Last updated: 22 August 2026

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) continues to dominate headlines across South Africa as the state-owned entity grapples with a mounting financial crisis, landmark court rulings, proposed new taxes, and calls for wholesale reform. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the most important RAF news and developments you need to know right now.

1. RAF Pays R8.9 Billion in Q1 2026/27 — But the Payment Queue Keeps Growing

In a presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport on 11 August 2026, acting RAF Chief Executive Radikwena Phora revealed that the Fund paid out R8.9 billion across 80,665 claims between 1 April and 30 June 2026 — a remarkable 54% increase compared to the R5.8 billion paid in the same quarter of the previous financial year.

Despite this accelerated payment rate, the outstanding payment queue actually grew during the same period. The requested-not-yet-paid (RNYP) balance increased from R18.56 billion at the start of the quarter to R22.18 billion by 30 June 2026, as R12.57 billion in new claims entered the pipeline while only R8.95 billion was paid out — a net increase of R3.62 billion.

Where Did the R8.9 Billion Go?

• Loss of earnings: R4.831 billion
• Plaintiff legal and costs: R2.018 billion
• General damages: R1.358 billion
• Loss of support: R291 million
• Past medical expenses: R276 million
• Future medical expenses: R160 million
• RAF legal and costs: R51 million
• Funeral costs: R4 million

The average payment per claim stood at approximately R283,595. The RAF currently has 301,203 open claims, with 88% still on the older Legacy system rather than the newer Bokamoso integrated claims management platform.

Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa raised concerns about a “missing link in the ecosystem” — cases where attorneys had received RAF payouts but claimants were unaware. He called for the RAF to follow up directly with claimants after payments are made to attorneys.

2. Supreme Court of Appeal Orders RAF to Revert to 2008 RAF 1 Form

In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of Appeal issued a judgement on 30 April 2026 directing the RAF to revert to the 2008 RAF 1 Form for claims processing. The RAF published a public notice on 28 July 2026 outlining the implications for claimants.

Key Points of the Ruling:

• Previously rejected claims that met the minimum legal requirements under Section 24 of the RAF Act will be accepted for re-processing using the 2008 RAF 1 Form.
• This applies only to claims lodged from 6 May 2022 onwards.
• Claims previously submitted and accepted using the 2022 RAF 1 Form do not need to be resubmitted.
• Claims previously rejected due to the relevant Board Notice will not prescribe up to and including 30 September 2026, and will retain their original submission date.
• New claims that were never submitted before and have already prescribed remain invalid.

Claimants with queries can contact the RAF Contact Centre on 087 820 1 111 (Monday–Friday, 07:45–16:00), WhatsApp at 071 605 4707, SMS on 44930, or email at contactcentre@raf.co.za.

3. New Vehicle Licence Fee Proposed to Fund the RAF

One of the most controversial RAF stories of 2026 is Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s proposal to introduce a new transitional levy on vehicle licence disc renewals to offset declining fuel levy revenue caused by the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).

The RAF is currently funded through a fuel levy of R2.25 per litre of petrol and diesel. As more South Africans switch to EVs — which do not consume fuel — the RAF’s revenue base is expected to erode over time.

Expert Warns of Deeper Problems

Emeritus Professor Hennie Klopper, a practising attorney and professor of private law at the University of Pretoria, argued that the RAF’s challenges go far beyond funding. “The problem is not as much getting money to pay for it, but stopping the bleeding,” he said.

Klopper highlighted South Africa’s alarmingly high road casualty rate, which exceeds international norms significantly. With approximately 100,000 claims received annually at an average of R328,000 per claim, the system is structurally unsustainable. He also noted that SCOPA (Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts) has cited outstanding liabilities of approximately R500 billion.

Klopper further warned that replacing the RAF with a new system would require funding both the old and new systems simultaneously — a potentially catastrophic financial burden. He estimated that a return to compulsory motor insurance could cost motorists between R5,000 and R10,000 per year in premiums.

4. Calls to Scrap the RAF Grow Louder

The proposed vehicle licence levy has sparked fierce opposition and renewed calls to abolish the RAF entirely.

Automobile Association (AA)

AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede described the proposed new fee as “laughable,” pointing out that the RAF already collects approximately R45 billion per year from fuel taxes — more than it disburses — yet remains technically insolvent. “It’s no secret. The RAF is embattled and maladministered,” he said. Ramagwede argued that EV adoption in South Africa is too slow to justify a new tax, and that the real problem is operational inefficiency and mismanagement.

Democratic Alliance (DA)

The DA’s Transport spokesperson, Dr Chris Hunsinger, announced the party’s opposition to the new levy and its intention to challenge the proposal. “The RAF is not in crisis because motorists are not paying enough — the RAF is in crisis because years of mismanagement, corruption, waste and poor governance have left it financially crippled,” he stated. The DA called for the RAF to be fundamentally reformed and ultimately replaced with a sustainable, efficient system.

5. Parliament’s Transport Committee: RAF “On the Road to Recovery”

Despite the gloomy financial picture, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Mr Donald Selamolela, expressed cautious optimism in February 2026, stating that the RAF is “on the road to recovery.”

“We are satisfied that indeed there is work happening to improve governance and stabilise the operation of RAF,” Selamolela said. He acknowledged that the RAF remains a “challenged entity” beset by historical problems, but called on the public to shift its negative perception of the Fund.

Deputy Transport Minister Hlengwa, who accompanied the RAF board before the committee, likened the reform process to “fixing an aeroplane while airborne” — a challenging but necessary undertaking. He confirmed that reforming the RAF remains a government priority, with direct claims processing identified as an immediate area of focus.

6. RAF Community Outreach and Settlement Drives

The RAF has been ramping up its community outreach efforts in 2026, taking its services directly to South Africans in underserved areas. Key highlights include:

• A Settlement Drive at Ngwelezane Hospital on 20 February 2026, where the RAF processed claims worth over R20 billion.
• A community outreach in Kokstad on 14 August 2026, where residents could register claims, submit outstanding documents, check claim status, and report unscrupulous attorneys and touts.
• A broader “boots on the ground” approach, placing RAF employees directly in communities to help resolve claims-related problems and engage with claimants.

Between October 2024 and May 2026, the RAF paid out a total of R79.33 billion in claims. The RAF has also urged claimants to plan their finances carefully and responsibly manage settlement payouts, particularly during National Savings Month.

7. Illegal Foreign Claimants and Calls to Limit Payouts to South Africans

A contentious issue that has gained traction in Parliament is the RAF’s payment of claims to illegal foreign nationals. Reports indicate the RAF has paid R18 billion to illegal foreign claimants, prompting the African Transformation Movement (ATM) to call for RAF payouts to be limited exclusively to South African citizens. The debate reflects broader tensions around immigration and the allocation of state resources.

8. Road Safety: The Long-Term Solution

Experts and stakeholders agree that no financial fix will be sustainable without a fundamental improvement in South Africa’s road safety record. Professor Klopper noted that the World Health Organisation rates South Africa’s road traffic law enforcement at just 30% — far below international standards.

He criticised the government’s over-reliance on roadblocks as a road safety tool, pointing out that many road fatalities involve pedestrians — a group not targeted by roadblocks. Head-on collisions and poor compliance with traffic laws were also highlighted as major contributors to serious injuries and deaths.

“The solution is two-pronged. First of all, genuinely look at road safety,” Klopper urged.

What Does This Mean for RAF Claimants?

If you have a pending or potential RAF claim, here are the key takeaways from the latest developments:

1. Check if your previously rejected claim qualifies for re-processing under the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling on the RAF 1 Form — especially if it was lodged after 6 May 2022.
2. Act before 30 September 2026 if your claim was previously rejected due to the Board Notice, as the prescription waiver expires on that date.
3. Be aware of your rights when dealing with attorneys — the RAF is now actively following up with claimants to ensure they receive their payouts.
4. Use the RAF’s community outreach services to register claims, check status, and get assistance without needing to visit a main office.
5. Contact the RAF directly on 087 820 1 111 or via WhatsApp at 071 605 4707 for queries.

Conclusion: A Fund at a Crossroads

The Road Accident Fund stands at a critical juncture in 2026. On one hand, it is paying out claims at a record pace and rolling out community-focused initiatives. On the other, it faces a ballooning payment queue, R500 billion in estimated liabilities, governance failures, and a fierce political and public debate about its future.

Whether the RAF is reformed from within, replaced with a new insurance model, or propped up with new taxes, one thing is clear: the status quo is unsustainable. South Africans — both road accident victims and motorists — deserve a system that is efficient, transparent, and financially sound.

Stay tuned to this blog for daily updates on the Road Accident Fund and other key South African legal and financial news.

Sources: Moonstone Information Refinery, Eyewitness News (EWN), IOL, TopAuto, Africa24 TV, RAF Official Website (raf.co.za)