Road Accident Fund in Crisis: R21.7 Billion Unpaid, 160,000 New Claims and Calls for Reform – August 2026 Update

Road Accident Fund South Africa: Latest News and Key Developments – August 2026

South Africa’s Road Accident Fund (RAF) continues to dominate headlines in 2026, with a mounting claims backlog, billions in unpaid compensation, landmark court rulings, and growing calls for fundamental reform. Here is a comprehensive overview of the most important RAF news and developments as of August 2026.

1. R21.7 Billion in Finalised Claims Still Unpaid

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed that the RAF is sitting with more than R21.76 billion in finalised claims that have not yet been paid to accident victims. As at 28 June 2026, the RAF Requested Not Yet Paid (RNYP) Claims Register recorded 37,622 unpaid claims across 47,949 payment transactions.

The primary reasons for payment delays include outstanding compliance checks affecting claims worth nearly R11 billion, verification delays affecting claims worth more than R9.1 billion, and missing documents affecting claims worth approximately R1.7 billion. Many of these outstanding claims date back as far as 2007.

2. RAF Faces Surge of Almost 160,000 New Claims After SCA Ruling

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment on 30 April 2026 declared the RAF 2022 RAF 1 Form regime unlawful and reinstated the original 2008 RAF 1 Form. By 1 July 2026, the RAF had received 62,643 claims in the post-judgment stream, with projections of approximately 159,591 claims by the 30 September 2026 deadline.

Key figures: The RAF paid R8.9 billion on 80,665 claims during Q1 of 2026/27. The average payment per claim was R283,595. The potential financial exposure from RAF 1 Form claims alone could reach R45.3 billion. Pretoria accounted for 29,958 new claims, followed by Johannesburg with 17,904.

Claimants previously rejected under the 2022 regime may resubmit using the 2008 RAF 1 Form by 30 September 2026. Successfully resubmitted claims will be backdated to the original submission date, protecting them from prescription.

3. Court Action Over Non-Payment of 430+ Finalised Claims

De Broglio Attorneys launched a court application against the RAF over non-payment of more than 430 finalised claims, despite settlement agreements or court orders already being in place. Some claimants have waited more than two years for compensation. Tragically, some claimants have reportedly died before receiving their finalised compensation.

4. National Settlement Hub Proposed to Clear the Backlog

The Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims (Aprav) proposed a National Settlement Hub requiring R16 billion from National Treasury to clear the backlog of approximately 100,000 claims. Aprav noted that less than 5% of RAF claims are genuinely in dispute, yet 90% end up in court, resulting in an accumulated legal bill of R6 billion.

5. Calls to Scrap the RAF and Replace It With Compulsory Insurance

AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede questioned whether the RAF should be scrapped and replaced with compulsory third-party insurance. The RAF receives approximately R45 billion per year from the fuel levy yet remains technically insolvent. The SIU flagged over R340 million in duplicate payments to law firms. The Democratic Alliance also opposed the proposed new vehicle licence disc fee.

6. Statutory Cap on Loss of Income Claims Increased

As of 31 January 2026, the RAF officially increased the statutory cap for loss of income and loss of support claims.

7. RAF Community Outreach and Awareness Campaigns

In August 2026, the RAF conducted community outreach in the Harry Gwala District and Kokstad. The RAF WhatsApp line is 071 605 4707 and the call centre is 087 820 1 111 (Monday to Friday 07:45-16:00).

Key Takeaways for RAF Claimants in 2026

1. Resubmit rejected claims before 30 September 2026 – Claims rejected under the 2022 RAF 1 Form regime can be resubmitted using the 2008 form and will be backdated.
2. Payment delays are widespread – Over R21.7 billion in finalised claims remain unpaid. Follow up with your attorney and the RAF directly.
3. Legal action is an option – Court applications can compel the RAF to address non-payment of finalised claims.
4. The RAF funding model is under review – Stay informed about proposed changes to vehicle licence disc fees and other levies.
5. Parliamentary oversight is intensifying – Scopa and the Portfolio Committee on Transport are actively scrutinising the RAF.

Conclusion: The RAF at a Crossroads

The Road Accident Fund is at a critical juncture in 2026. With R21.7 billion in unpaid claims, a potential flood of 160,000 new claims following the SCA ruling, ongoing court battles, and mounting calls for structural reform or outright replacement, the pressure on the RAF has never been greater. Know your rights, meet the 30 September 2026 deadline if you were previously rejected, and seek legal advice if your finalised claim remains unpaid.

Stay updated on the latest Road Accident Fund news. We publish daily updates on RAF claims, legal developments, and funding changes affecting South African road users.