Road Accident Fund (RAF) South Africa: Key Updates, Crisis & Reform — October 2026

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) in South Africa continues to dominate headlines in October 2026, with a wave of significant developments spanning leadership changes, a mounting claims backlog, legislative reforms, and ongoing financial pressures. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the latest news and what it means for South African motorists, accident victims, and claimants.

1. New CEO Appointed: Waseem Carrim Takes the Helm

One of the most significant recent developments is the Cabinet-approved appointment of Waseem Carrim as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Road Accident Fund, effective 1 November 2026. Carrim, a chartered accountant and former CEO of both the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), becomes the fifth RAF CEO in just over a year — a stark indicator of the leadership instability that has plagued the institution.

In an interview with Moneyweb, Carrim acknowledged the scale of the challenge but expressed cautious optimism:

“I think there are three things that make me believe the situation can be turned around. One is a strong and supportive transport minister [Barbara Creecy]. Two is an interim board led by very capable individuals. And then also a five-year mandate to turn things around.”

Carrim’s immediate priorities include:

• Reforming the RAF’s financial model
• Rebuilding claims administration and reducing the backlog
• Controlling litigation costs
• Tackling fraud and corruption with zero tolerance
• Restoring trust with claimants, attorneys, and medical professionals

He has also floated the idea of replacing once-off lump-sum payouts with structured annuity payments, which he believes would ease the fund’s cash flow pressure and better match revenue with expenditure.

2. R21.7 Billion in Unpaid Claims — The Backlog Crisis

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that the RAF is sitting with a staggering R21.76 billion in finalised but unpaid claims as at 28 June 2026. This figure covers 37,622 claims across 47,949 payment transactions — many of which date back as far as 2007.

The RAF tracks these through its Requested Not Yet Paid (RNYP) Claims Register. The main reasons for delayed payments include:

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

Despite the RAF paying out R8.9 billion on 80,665 claims in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year (April–June 2026) — a 54% increase compared to the same period the previous year — the payment queue actually grew by R3.62 billion during the same period, as R12.57 billion in new claims entered the pipeline. This illustrates the fundamental structural imbalance: the RAF can receive as little as R4 billion per month, while its payment queue regularly exceeds R20 billion.

3. No Additional Government Funding — Minister Rules It Out

In a significant policy statement made on 13 October 2026, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy ruled out any additional government funding for the RAF. She also rejected the fund’s proposal to increase the fuel levy to R3 per litre, citing the financial pressure already faced by South African motorists.

The RAF currently receives more than R50 billion per year from taxpayers, primarily through a fuel levy of R2.25 per litre on petrol and diesel — adding roughly 7–8% to the pump price. Despite this, the fund’s total liabilities exceed R400 billion, making it technically insolvent.

The Department of Transport is reviewing the RAF’s funding model, with options including a mandatory vehicle-linked fee attached to annual licence renewals or initial vehicle registrations. However, no final decision has been announced.

4. Legislative Reforms Underway: Claims, Rehabilitation & Foreign Nationals

On 6 October 2026, the Department of Transport briefed Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport, confirming that amendments to the Road Accident Fund Act are being finalised. Acting Transport Director-General Mokonyama Mathabatha outlined four key areas of reform:

1. Capped claims — reviewing how compensation limits are applied
2. Rehabilitation — improving support for injured claimants
3. Mediation and conciliation — introducing alternative dispute resolution to reduce costly litigation
4. Foreign national claims — addressing the legal uncertainty following multiple court rulings

On the issue of foreign nationals, the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruled in September 2026 that the RAF cannot exclude undocumented foreign nationals from claiming benefits. The existing RAF Act refers to compensation for “any person”, and courts have consistently found that Parliament did not write an immigration-status limitation into the legislation. Government is now seeking to address this through the amendment process.

“All these issues are in the amendment Act that we are finalising. The Act in its current form makes the scheme not sustainable,” — Acting DG Mokonyama Mathabatha

Important note for claimants: These amendments have not yet been enacted. Until the legislation is formally tabled and passed by Parliament, the existing RAF Act and claims framework remains in force.

5. RAF Shows Signs of Recovery — But Challenges Remain

Earlier in 2026, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Mr Donald Selamolela, stated that the RAF is “on the road to recovery”, noting improvements in governance and operational stability. Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa likened the reform process to “fixing an aeroplane while airborne.”

However, the committee also raised concerns about the RAF’s organisational structure and called for faster reform. The fund has been without a permanent board since July 2025, and the process of appointing a permanent board is currently underway.

The RAF’s community outreach programme has also been expanded, with teams deployed directly into communities to help claimants register claims, submit outstanding documents, check claim status, and report unscrupulous attorneys and touts.

6. The Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) Bill: A Long-Term Solution?

New CEO Waseem Carrim has identified the adoption of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) Bill as a critical long-term solution. The RABS would introduce a no-fault system, replacing the current fault-based model and lump-sum payouts with regular, structured benefit payments.

Under a no-fault system, injured road users would receive benefits regardless of who caused the accident, eliminating the need for lengthy and expensive litigation. This is seen as a way to reduce the RAF’s massive legal costs — which amounted to R2.018 billion in plaintiff legal costs in just one quarter — and to make the system more accessible to ordinary South Africans.

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 from the latest developments:

• Delays are ongoing — With R21.7 billion in unpaid claims, patience is required. Ensure all your documentation is in order to avoid compliance-related delays.
• Legislation has not yet changed — Despite reform announcements, the existing RAF Act still applies. Work with a qualified attorney to navigate the current framework.
• New leadership brings hope — Waseem Carrim’s appointment signals a fresh attempt at stabilisation, though meaningful change will take time.
• Community outreach is available — The RAF is actively visiting communities. Take advantage of these events to check your claim status or submit outstanding documents.
• Beware of unscrupulous attorneys — The RAF has flagged concerns about claimants being unaware of settlement offers made to their attorneys. Stay informed about your claim’s progress.

Conclusion: A Fund at a Crossroads

The Road Accident Fund stands at a critical juncture in October 2026. With a new CEO taking office, sweeping legislative reforms in the pipeline, a R21.7 billion payment backlog, and a government unwilling to inject additional funding, the pressure to reform is immense. The coming months will be decisive in determining whether the RAF can be turned around — or whether more radical structural changes, such as the introduction of the RABS no-fault system, will be required to ensure that South Africa’s road accident victims receive the compensation they deserve.

Stay informed about the latest Road Accident Fund news and updates by bookmarking this page. If you need assistance with an RAF claim, consult a qualified personal injury attorney.