Road Accident Fund South Africa: Key Updates, Crisis & Reform News – October 2026

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) in South Africa continues to dominate headlines as the embattled state entity grapples with a mounting claims backlog, governance challenges, a new CEO appointment, and sweeping proposals to overhaul its funding model. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the latest RAF news as of October 2026.

1. New CEO Appointed: Waseem Carrim Takes the Wheel

In one of the most significant leadership developments at the RAF in years, Cabinet approved the appointment of Waseem Carrim as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Road Accident Fund on 29 September 2026. Carrim, a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) aged 38, previously served as the acting CEO of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and as CEO of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) for seven and a half years.

His appointment is effective from 1 November 2026, subject to verification of qualifications and security clearances. Carrim has already made his intentions clear, vowing to tackle the low trust that has plagued the RAF and declaring that it will be the end of the road for RAF looters.

Speaking to News24, Carrim acknowledged the scale of the challenges but said they were not insurmountable. His track record at NSFAS, where he improved performance achievement from a historical average of 40% to 64% of annual targets, has given stakeholders cautious optimism about his ability to turn around the troubled fund.

“The challenges at the fund are not insurmountable.” – Waseem Carrim, incoming RAF CEO

2. R21.7 Billion in Unpaid Claims: The Scale of the Crisis

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy revealed in a parliamentary reply that the RAF is sitting with a staggering R21.76 billion in finalised claims that have not yet been paid out to accident victims. According to the RAF’s Requested Not Yet Paid (RNYP) Claims Register, as at 28 June 2026:

• 37,622 claims remain unpaid
• These involve 47,949 payment transactions
• Claims date back as far as 2007

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

The revelation has intensified calls for urgent reform and has placed the RAF under intense parliamentary scrutiny.

3. SCOPA Investigation: Accountability Under the Microscope

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), chaired by Songezo Zibi, has been conducting a thorough investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement, maladministration, and wasteful expenditure at the RAF. The committee is currently finalising its recommendations before submitting them to the National Assembly.

SCOPA chair Zibi has been blunt in his assessment, stating that the RAF is chronically underfunded and that even when governance and operational problems are resolved, there will not be enough money to meet all claim obligations without structural reform.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has also been active, uncovering a R50 million alternative RAF bank account, a finding that has deepened concerns about financial irregularities within the organisation.

4. DA and Aprav Propose a Dedicated Settlement Hub

Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament Patrick Atkinson has proposed that government create a dedicated Settlement Hub to process RAF claims more efficiently. The idea has gained traction following a similar proposal by the Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims (Aprav).

Aprav vice chair Pieter de Bruyn outlined the concept at the National Press Club in Pretoria, arguing that a Settlement Hub could clear the backlog of approximately 100,000 claims without waiting for the RAF’s broader structural problems to be resolved first.

The proposed hub would:

• Identify and sort claims that are ready for settlement
• Consolidate all legal, medical, and financial evidence into a single file
• Place experienced decision-makers in the room with real authority to settle
• Settle undisputed portions and send only genuine disputes to court
• Track every case until the claimant is actually paid

De Bruyn estimated the initiative would require R16 billion from National Treasury but stressed this is not a bailout. He noted that less than 5% of RAF claims are genuinely disputed, yet 90% end up in court, resulting in a legal bill of R6 billion.

“The hub would simply put people who can actually make a decision in a room, to do what the RAF should have been doing all along.” – Pieter de Bruyn, Aprav

5. RAF Funding Model Under Review: New Fees on the Horizon?

The Department of Transport (DoT), in collaboration with the RAF, has initiated a structured review of the RAF’s funding framework. Currently, the RAF is funded primarily through a fuel levy of approximately R4.2 billion per month. However, this model is increasingly seen as insufficient.

Among the options being considered:

• A mandatory fee linked to annual vehicle licence renewals or initial vehicle registrations
• Private and public contributions to supplement the fuel levy
• A hybrid funding model combining the fuel levy, an optional insurance top-up, and private sector involvement
• Cutting or scrapping the RAF fuel levy entirely as part of a broader restructuring

Aprav’s De Bruyn cautioned against over-reliance on compulsory insurance, noting that actuarial estimates suggest it could cost motorists up to R2,400 per month and taxi owners up to R4,000 per month.

6. Transport Committee: Signs of Recovery, But Reform Must Accelerate

Earlier in 2026, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Mr Donald Selamolela, expressed cautious optimism about the RAF’s trajectory. He acknowledged that the RAF is a challenged entity beset by historical problems but said the committee was satisfied that meaningful work was being done to improve governance and stabilise operations.

Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa likened the reform process to fixing an aeroplane while airborne – a challenging but necessary undertaking. He emphasised that direct claims processing remains an immediate priority.

7. Supreme Court of Appeal: RAF1 Form Declared Unlawful

A significant legal development occurred on 30 April 2026, when the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) directed the RAF to revert to the 2008 RAF 1 Form, effectively declaring the newer form unlawful. Up to 100,000 claimants with valid claims were excluded from the system as a result of the unlawful form.

This ruling has opened the door for previously rejected RAF claims to be reconsidered, potentially adding significantly to the fund’s already strained obligations.

Key Trends and Takeaways

1. Leadership change: The appointment of Waseem Carrim signals a new chapter, with expectations of improved governance and accountability.
2. Claims crisis: Over R21.7 billion in unpaid claims and a backlog of approximately 100,000 cases demand urgent, practical solutions.
3. Funding reform: The current fuel levy model is unsustainable; a hybrid funding model appears increasingly likely.
4. Legal accountability: SCOPA investigations, SIU findings, and court rulings are forcing greater transparency and accountability.
5. Structural innovation: Proposals like the Settlement Hub represent pragmatic, near-term solutions to a long-standing crisis.

What This Means for Road Accident Victims in South Africa

For the thousands of South Africans waiting for RAF compensation, the current period is one of both challenge and cautious hope. The appointment of a new CEO, parliamentary pressure, and concrete reform proposals suggest that meaningful change may finally be on the horizon. However, with R21.7 billion in unpaid claims and a deeply entrenched backlog, the road to recovery will be long.

If you have a pending RAF claim or need guidance on the claims process, it is advisable to consult with a qualified legal professional who specialises in RAF matters to ensure your rights are protected.

Sources: IOL Business, TimesLIVE, Moneyweb, SABC News, Africa24 TV, News24 – October 2026