Road Accident Fund South Africa: Key Updates, Reforms & Crisis Developments – October 2026

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) in South Africa continues to dominate headlines as the embattled state entity faces a perfect storm of mounting debt, a surge in claims following a landmark court ruling, proposed fuel levy increases, and sweeping legislative reforms. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the most important RAF developments as of October 2026.

1. RAF Act Amendments Imminent: Parliament Moves to Fix a Broken System

On 6 October 2026, the Portfolio Committee on Transport heard that amendments to the Road Accident Fund Act are being finalised and will soon be tabled before Parliament. The Department of Transport’s acting Director-General, Mokonyama Mathabatha, confirmed that four key areas are being addressed:

• Capped claims – to limit the financial exposure of the Fund
• Rehabilitation – improving support for injured claimants
• Mediation and conciliation – reducing costly litigation
• Claims by foreign nationals – resolving a contentious legal and financial issue

“The Act in its current form makes the scheme not sustainable,” Mathabatha told MPs. The amendments come after courts recently instructed the RAF to pay claims from foreign nationals, sparking political debate about the use of taxpayer funds for undocumented residents.

Committee member Mr Thalente Kubheka called for urgent changes: “We should change that; we need to change that. The Minister and DG should look into how we are going to change the RAF Act in such a way that it benefits South Africans.”

2. RAF Eyes R3/Litre Fuel Levy Increase Amid Deepening Financial Crisis

The RAF is reportedly eyeing a fuel levy increase to R3 per litre (approximately US$0.18), up from the current R2.25 per litre that took effect on 1 April 2026. This would represent a 33% increase in the RAF levy alone.

The proposal comes as the Fund’s financial position deteriorates sharply:

• National Treasury estimated the RAF’s liabilities for 2025/26 at R387.4 billion (approximately US$23 billion)
• Assets stand at only R19.2 billion (approximately US$1.2 billion)
• News24 reported the Fund now owes R449 billion (approximately US$27 billion) in outstanding claims
• More than 422,000 claims remain open, with 59% older than five years

However, the proposal faces political headwinds. Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa favours a hybrid model with a smaller levy and new revenue sources, including third-party vehicle insurance and mandatory travel insurance for foreign visitors. The ANC and trade union federation Cosatu have both called for fuel levy relief, not increases, while civil-society watchdog OUTA argues that better management could cut the levy by R1 per litre.

“A hybrid, as far as I am concerned, should be the priority consideration.” — Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa

3. SCA Ruling Triggers Surge of Nearly 160,000 New Claims

One of the most significant developments of 2026 has been the fallout from a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment on 30 April 2026, which set aside the 2022 RAF 1 Form regime and reinstated the 2008 version. The ruling has triggered a massive wave of resubmitted claims.

Key figures from the RAF’s August 2026 Parliamentary briefing:

• By 1 July 2026, the RAF had received 62,643 claims in the post-judgment stream
• The RAF projected a total of 159,591 claims by the 30 September 2026 deadline
• The potential financial exposure could reach approximately R45.3 billion (based on the average payment of R283,595 per claim)
• Claims were concentrated in Pretoria (29,958), Johannesburg (17,904), Durban, East London, and Cape Town

Why the 2022 RAF 1 Form Was Struck Down

The RAF had introduced stricter documentation requirements in 2022 to reduce incomplete claims clogging the system. However, the SCA found that:

• The RAF lacked the authority to impose additional binding requirements
• The required public participation process had not taken place
• The revised form created barriers to lodging claims by requiring extensive documentation upfront

Claimants whose claims were rejected under the 2022 regime were given until 30 September 2026 to resubmit using the 2008 form, with their claims backdated to the original submission date to protect against prescription.

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

Despite a significant increase in payouts, the RAF’s payment backlog continues to grow. During the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year (April–June 2026):

• The RAF paid R8.9 billion on 80,665 claims — a 54% increase over the same quarter the previous year
• The requested-not-yet-paid (RNYP) pipeline grew from R18.56 billion to R22.18 billion
• R12.57 billion in new claims entered the pipeline during the quarter
• The average payment per claim was approximately R283,595

Breakdown of the R8.9 Billion Paid:

• 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

Acting CEO Radikwena Phora noted that the Fund can receive as little as R4 billion a month in levy income, while its payment queue can exceed R20 billion — a structural imbalance that underscores the Fund’s chronic underfunding.

5. New CEO Appointed: Waseem Carrim Takes the Helm

In a significant leadership development, Cabinet approved Waseem Carrim as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Road Accident Fund in September 2026. His appointment follows the dissolution of the RAF’s board by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy in July 2025, citing persistent governance and operational problems. The government hopes to appoint a permanent board by the end of 2026.

6. Governance Concerns: 23 Suspended Staff Costing Taxpayers R26 Million a Year

Governance issues continue to plague the RAF. According to News24, 23 staff members are currently suspended while still receiving full salaries, costing taxpayers approximately R26 million per year. A parliamentary reply by the Transport Minister confirmed 16 employees on suspension, with monthly salaries ranging from R48,796 to R333,874 before tax. The first suspension dates back to May 2024, with all cases pending disciplinary processes.

7. Signs of Recovery: Parliament Cautiously Optimistic

Despite the challenges, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Mr Donald Selamolela, expressed cautious optimism:

“We are satisfied that indeed there is work happening to improve governance and stabilise operation of RAF. The committee accepts that RAF is a challenged entity of government, besieged by historical factors that unnecessarily frustrated the work of the entity.”

Deputy Transport Minister Hlengwa likened the reform process to “fixing an aeroplane while airborne” — acknowledging the difficulty of overhauling a system that must continue to serve hundreds of thousands of claimants simultaneously.

What This Means for RAF Claimants in South Africa

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

1. Resubmission deadline has passed — The 30 September 2026 deadline for resubmitting claims under the reinstated 2008 RAF 1 Form has now closed. If you missed it, consult an attorney immediately.
2. Payment delays remain a reality — With over 422,000 open claims and a growing payment queue, claimants should expect delays. The RAF’s “boots on the ground” community outreach programme aims to help claimants navigate the process.
3. Legislative changes are coming — Amendments to the RAF Act will affect how claims are processed, capped, and settled. Stay informed about these developments.
4. Fuel levy changes may affect the Fund’s revenue — Any increase or decrease in the RAF fuel levy will directly impact the Fund’s ability to pay claims.
5. Use official RAF channels — Contact the RAF directly via their WhatsApp line (071 605 4707) or visit www.raf.co.za for claim status updates.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Road Accident Fund (RAF)

What is the Road Accident Fund (RAF)?

The Road Accident Fund is a South African state entity that compensates victims of motor vehicle accidents for injuries, loss of income, and loss of support. It is funded through a levy on every litre of petrol and diesel sold in South Africa.

How do I claim from the RAF?

You can lodge a claim directly with the RAF using the RAF 1 Form (currently the 2008 version), or through an attorney. Claims can be submitted at any RAF office or via their online portal at www.raf.co.za.

How long does an RAF claim take?

RAF claims can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the complexity of the case, the availability of documentation, and the Fund’s current backlog. With over 422,000 open claims, delays are common.

What is the RAF fuel levy?

The RAF fuel levy is a tax included in the price of every litre of petrol and diesel in South Africa. It currently stands at R2.25 per litre (as of April 2026) and is the primary source of funding for the RAF.

Can foreign nationals claim from the RAF?

Yes, currently foreign nationals injured in road accidents in South Africa can claim from the RAF. However, proposed amendments to the RAF Act may restrict or change this in the future.

Conclusion: The RAF at a Crossroads

The Road Accident Fund stands at a critical juncture in October 2026. With nearly R450 billion in outstanding claims debt, a new CEO at the helm, sweeping legislative reforms on the horizon, and a massive influx of resubmitted claims following the SCA ruling, the coming months will be decisive for the Fund’s future.

For millions of South Africans who depend on the RAF for compensation after life-altering road accidents, the pace of reform cannot come soon enough. We will continue to monitor and report on all RAF developments as they unfold.

Last updated: 9 October 2026. Sources: Parliament of South Africa, Moonstone Information Refinery, The Rio Times, Africa24 TV, SABC News, News24.