Road Accident Fund Faces Judicial Criticism Over Chaotic Court Cases and Financial Mismanagement

Road Accident Fund Faces Judicial Criticism Over Chaotic Court Cases and Financial Mismanagement

Date: June 11, 2025

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is once again under the spotlight following a scathing judgment by Judge Jan Swanepoel of the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. In a recent ruling, the judge criticized the RAF for its ‘chaotic approach to litigation,’ which has resulted in the loss of millions in public funds and ongoing financial mismanagement.

Key Findings from the Latest Court Judgment

• Chaotic Litigation: The RAF has repeatedly failed to send lawyers to court or provide them with proper instructions, leading to a surge in default judgments against the fund.
• Financial Losses: In just one week in May 2025, default judgments totaling R75-million were granted against the RAF, further straining its already precarious finances.
• Inflated Claims: Many cases involve overinflated claims for compensation, and the RAF often fails to provide expert reports to help the court assess the validity of these claims.
• Internal Failures: The RAF’s poor internal communication has resulted in misleading court submissions, with affidavits based on incorrect information provided by the fund itself.
• Systemic Issues: Despite repeated warnings and special legal treatment, the RAF continues to mishandle cases, with dozens of unopposed matters appearing in court each week.

What This Means for South Africans

The ongoing mismanagement of the Road Accident Fund has serious implications for road accident victims and the public at large. The fund’s inability to properly defend itself in court not only wastes public money but also undermines trust in a vital social safety net. Judge Swanepoel’s judgment is a clear call for urgent reform and accountability within the RAF.

For more details, see the original article on Daily Maverick.

Keywords: Road Accident Fund, South Africa, court cases, financial mismanagement, legal news, RAF, Gauteng High Court, default judgments, public funds, legal reform