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

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) in South Africa is at a critical crossroads in October 2026. From a landmark Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that has triggered a flood of nearly 160,000 new claims, to proposed fuel levy hikes, sweeping legislative amendments, and a new CEO appointment — the RAF is making headlines for all the right and wrong reasons. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the latest news and developments.

1. SCA Ruling Sparks Surge of Almost 160,000 New Claims

One of the most significant developments of 2026 is the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment handed down on 30 April 2026, which set aside the RAF’s controversial 2022 RAF 1 Form and reinstated the original 2008 version. The ruling has opened the floodgates for tens of thousands of previously rejected claimants to resubmit their claims.

By 1 July 2026, the RAF had already received 62,643 claims in this post-judgment stream. Based on the intake rate at the time, the Fund projected a total of 159,591 claims by the 30 September 2026 resubmission deadline. Of these, 95% were personal injury claims and 5% were supplier claims.

The financial exposure is staggering. Applying the RAF’s average payout of R283,595 per claim (Q1 2026/27) to the projected 159,591 claims produces a potential liability of approximately R45.3 billion — though the actual figure will depend on how claims are assessed and adjudicated.

Claims have been concentrated in major urban centres: Pretoria (29,958), Johannesburg (17,904), Durban (5,672), East London (5,016), and Cape Town (4,093).

Why the 2022 RAF 1 Form Was Struck Down

The RAF introduced a revised RAF 1 Form in July 2022 with stricter documentation requirements at the point of lodgement, aiming to reduce incomplete claims clogging the system. However, the Gauteng High Court in March 2024 declared the revised form unlawful, and the SCA confirmed this on appeal in April 2026. The court found that the RAF lacked the authority to impose the additional requirements, and that the required public participation process had not taken place.

2. RAF Pays Out R8.9 Billion in a Single Quarter

Despite its financial challenges, the RAF demonstrated improved payment performance in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year (April–June 2026), paying out R8.9 billion across 80,665 claims. The breakdown includes:

• R291 million for loss of support
• R276 million for past medical expenses
• R160 million for future medical expenses

However, the payment queue continues to grow. During the same quarter, R12.57 billion in new claims entered the requested-not-yet-paid (RNYP) pipeline — meaning the Fund is paying out less than it is taking in. As of 28 June 2026, there were 37,622 finalised claims awaiting payment, totalling R21.76 billion.

3. RAF Eyes R3/Litre Fuel Levy Increase

In a move that has sparked significant debate, the RAF is reportedly eyeing a fuel levy increase to R3 per litre — up from the current R2.25 per litre (which was itself raised by 7 cents on 1 April 2026). This would represent a 33% increase in the RAF levy and would add approximately 75 cents to every litre of fuel sold in South Africa.

The proposal comes at a particularly sensitive time, as South Africa is already experiencing record petrol prices (effective 7 October 2026). The ANC and trade union federation COSATU have both called for cuts to fuel levies, not increases, to provide relief to consumers.

The Deputy Transport Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, has indicated he favours a hybrid funding model with a smaller levy supplemented by new revenue sources such as third-party vehicle insurance and mandatory travel insurance for foreign visitors.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) opposes removing the levy from the fuel price, but argues that better management could reduce it by R1 per litre.

The Scale of the RAF’s Financial Crisis

The numbers paint a dire picture:

• National Treasury estimated the RAF’s liabilities for 2025/26 at R387.4 billion (~US$23 billion)
• Assets stood at only R19.2 billion (~US$1.2 billion)
• News24 reported the Fund now owes R449 billion in outstanding claims debt
• More than 422,000 claims remain open, with 59% older than five years
• Treasury projects net liabilities growing to R405.1 billion by 2028/29

4. RAF Act Amendments to Be Tabled in Parliament

The Portfolio Committee on Transport heard on 6 October 2026 that amendments to the RAF Act are being finalised and will soon be tabled before Parliament. The Department of Transport’s Acting Director-General, Mathabatha Mokonyama, confirmed that the current Act “makes the scheme not sustainable.”

The proposed amendments cover four key areas:

1. Capped claims — introducing limits on compensation payouts
2. Rehabilitation — improving support for injured claimants
3. Mediation and conciliation — reducing costly litigation
4. Claims by foreign nationals — addressing court rulings requiring payment to undocumented residents

The issue of payments to foreign nationals has become politically contentious, with committee member Thalente Kubheka questioning how RAF benefits could be paid to people living in South Africa illegally, calling it “a tax burden on South Africans.”

The Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) Bill — a long-awaited piece of legislation that would replace the current fault-based system with fixed benefits — is also being progressed, though no tabling date has been confirmed.

5. New CEO Appointed: Waseem Carrim Takes the Helm

In a significant leadership development, Cabinet approved Mr Waseem Carrim as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Road Accident Fund in September 2026. The appointment comes after Transport Minister Barbara Creecy dissolved the RAF’s board in July 2025 due to persistent governance and operational problems.

The government hopes to appoint a permanent board by the end of 2026. The new leadership faces an enormous challenge: stabilising the Fund’s finances, clearing the claims backlog, and implementing the legislative reforms needed to ensure long-term sustainability.

6. Governance Concerns: 23 Suspended Staff Costing Taxpayers Millions

Governance issues continue to plague the RAF. According to News24, 23 staff members are currently suspended and still receiving full pay, costing taxpayers an estimated 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, and all are pending disciplinary processes. The ongoing cost of suspended staff has become a political flashpoint, highlighting the governance challenges that led to the board’s dissolution.

7. RAF Shows Signs of Recovery — But Reform Must Accelerate

Despite the challenges, the Transport Committee Chair noted in early 2026 that the RAF is showing signs of recovery, with improved payout rates and operational reforms underway. The Fund has brought in additional resources — including contractors and interns — introduced overtime, reorganised staff, and made IT and process changes to deal with the surge in claims following the SCA ruling.

The RAF’s Integrated Claims Management System (Bokamoso) has been reconfigured to accommodate the reinstated 2008 RAF 1 Form, and additional capacity has been made available for scanning, uploading, and pre-assessment of claims.

What This Means for South African Road Accident Victims

For ordinary South Africans who have been injured in road accidents, the current situation is a mixed bag:

• Good news: The SCA ruling means thousands of previously rejected claimants can now resubmit their claims using the simpler 2008 RAF 1 Form.
• Challenging reality: With over 422,000 open claims and a growing payment backlog, waiting times remain extremely long — some claimants report court dates set for 2030 and beyond.
• Legislative reform: Proposed amendments to the RAF Act, including capped claims and mediation, could change the compensation landscape significantly.
• Financial pressure: The Fund’s near-insolvency means that even approved claims may face delays in payment.

Key Takeaways: RAF in October 2026

Conclusion

The Road Accident Fund remains one of South Africa’s most pressing public finance and social justice challenges. The convergence of a landmark court ruling, a near-insolvent balance sheet, proposed fuel levy increases, and sweeping legislative reforms makes October 2026 a pivotal moment for the Fund and the millions of South Africans who depend on it.

Whether the new CEO, pending legislative amendments, and operational reforms will be enough to stabilise the RAF — or whether more drastic restructuring is needed — remains to be seen. What is clear is that the status quo is unsustainable, and meaningful reform cannot wait.

Stay updated on the latest Road Accident Fund news by bookmarking this page. If you have a pending RAF claim, consult a qualified attorney to understand how recent developments may affect your case.