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

Introduction

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) remains one of South Africa’s most scrutinised public entities, and September 2026 brings a fresh wave of developments — from record quarterly payouts and a growing payment backlog, to a landmark Supreme Court ruling, foreign national claims controversy, and a government review of the RAF’s funding model. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the latest RAF news and what it means for South African road users and claimants.

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

The Road Accident Fund paid out a record R8.9 billion across 80,665 claims between 1 April and 30 June 2026 — a 54% increase compared to the R5.8 billion paid in the same quarter of the previous financial year. Despite this significant improvement in payment volumes, the payment queue has not shrunk.

According to figures presented to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport on 11 August 2026 by acting CEO Radikwena Phora, the Requested Not Yet Paid (RNYP) balance actually increased from R18.56 billion to R22.18 billion during the quarter. During the same period, R12.57 billion in new claims entered the pipeline, while only R8.95 billion was paid out — resulting in a net increase of R3.62 billion in outstanding payments.

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 was approximately R283,595. The RAF had 301,203 open claims as at 30 June 2026, with 88% still on the older Legacy system.

R21.7 Billion in Finalised Claims Still Unpaid

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy revealed in a parliamentary reply that as at 28 June 2026, the RAF had 37,622 finalised claims worth R21.76 billion that remained unpaid. These claims involved 47,949 separate payment transactions.

The main reasons cited for delayed payments include:

• Outstanding compliance checks — affecting claims worth nearly R11 billion
• Verification delays — affecting claims worth more than R9.1 billion
• Missing documents — affecting claims worth approximately R1.7 billion

Many of these outstanding claims date back years, with 36,442 claims relating to the period between 2007 and 2026. The sheer scale of the backlog underscores the systemic challenges facing the Fund.

SCA Ruling Triggers Surge of Nearly 160,000 New Claims

One of the most significant legal developments of 2026 is the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment of 30 April 2026, which set aside the RAF’s revised 2022 RAF 1 Form and reinstated the original 2008 version. The Court found that the RAF had overstepped its authority by imposing additional documentation requirements at the point of lodgement, and that the required public participation process had not taken place.

The ruling has had immediate and far-reaching consequences. Claimants whose claims were previously rejected under the stricter 2022 regime were given until 30 September 2026 to resubmit using the 2008 form — with their claims treated as having been lodged on the original submission date, protecting them from prescription.

By 1 July 2026, the RAF had already received 62,643 claims in this post-judgment stream, and based on the intake rate, the Fund projected a total of 159,591 claims by the deadline. The potential financial exposure is estimated at up to R40.9 billion — though the actual figure will depend on how claims are assessed and adjudicated.

To manage the surge, the RAF has brought in additional contractors and interns, introduced overtime, reconfigured its Bokamoso claims management system, and launched community outreach campaigns across the country.

R23.3 Billion in Claims Lodged by Foreign Nationals Over Five Years

A parliamentary question tabled in early September 2026 revealed that 13,127 foreign-related claims were lodged against the RAF between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2026, with a total claimed value of R23.3 billion. The highest single-year figure was recorded in 2025/26, when foreign-related claims totalled R8.5 billion.

Minister Creecy clarified that the RAF’s claims management system does not differentiate between documented and undocumented foreign nationals, and that the figures represent the amount claimed, not the actual payout value. The revelation has sparked public debate about the sustainability of the current RAF model and the need for reform.

RAF Funding Model Under Review — New Vehicle Licence Fee on the Cards?

The Department of Transport has confirmed that it is conducting a formal review of the RAF’s funding framework. Currently, the RAF is primarily funded through a fuel levy on petrol and diesel. However, with the Fund carrying an estimated R500 billion in long-term liability and facing mounting pressure from all sides, the government is exploring alternatives.

One option under consideration is a mandatory fee linked to annual vehicle licence renewals or initial vehicle registrations. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has stated that once the review process is completed, the findings will be communicated publicly. The move signals a potential shift in how South African motorists contribute to road accident compensation.

RAF Community Outreach Continues Across South Africa

The RAF has been ramping up its community outreach programme, taking its services directly to South Africans in need. Recent and upcoming outreach events include:

• Kokstad — 14 August 2026
• Kimberley — 5 September 2026
• George — 19 September 2026

At these events, residents can register claims, submit outstanding documents, check claim status, and report alleged unscrupulous attorneys and touts. The RAF has also issued guidance on contingency fees and legal costs (7 September 2026), urging claimants to understand their rights before engaging attorneys.

Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa has called for the RAF to follow up with claimants after paying their attorneys, describing the lack of direct communication as “a missing link in the ecosystem.”

Parliament Calls for Accelerated Reform

The Transport Committee Chair has acknowledged that the RAF is showing signs of recovery, but has stressed that reform efforts must accelerate. The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has also placed the RAF under renewed scrutiny, with calls for urgent structural reforms to address the Fund’s chronic underfunding, claims backlog, and governance challenges.

Advocacy groups such as APRAV (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) have proposed fast-track mechanisms to settle claims that are ready for payment without waiting for the RAF’s broader systemic issues to be resolved.

What This Means for RAF Claimants

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

1. If your claim was rejected under the 2022 RAF 1 Form regime, you have until 30 September 2026 to resubmit using the 2008 form. Act urgently.
2. Finalised claims may still face delays due to compliance checks, verification processes, or missing documents. Ensure all your documentation is in order.
3. Be aware of your legal rights regarding attorney fees. The RAF has issued guidance on contingency fees — make sure you understand what your attorney is entitled to charge.
4. Use the RAF’s community outreach events to check your claim status, submit documents, or get assistance directly from RAF officials.
5. Contact the RAF directly via WhatsApp on 071 605 4707 for claim status updates.

Conclusion

The Road Accident Fund is at a critical crossroads. While record payouts in Q1 2026/27 signal improved operational capacity, the growing payment backlog, the SCA-triggered claims surge, and the looming funding review paint a picture of a Fund under immense pressure. For the millions of South Africans who depend on the RAF for compensation after road accidents, the pace of reform cannot come soon enough.

Stay informed and check back regularly for the latest RAF news and updates.

Sources: Moonstone Information Refinery, IOL Business, Newsday, RAF Media Statements (raf.co.za) — September 2026