Road Accident Fund in Crisis: No New Funding, New CEO, 160,000 Claims Surge & Legislative Reforms – October 2026 Update

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) finds itself at a critical crossroads in October 2026, facing a perfect storm of financial pressure, a massive surge in claims following a landmark court ruling, leadership changes, and sweeping legislative reforms. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the latest developments shaping South Africa’s road accident compensation landscape.

1. Government Rules Out Additional Funding for the RAF

In a significant policy announcement, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that the Road Accident Fund will not receive additional government funding. The Minister rejected the RAF’s proposal to increase the fuel levy to R3 per litre, citing the financial pressure already being felt by South African motorists.

Minister Creecy emphasised that the priority must be to address the Fund’s internal management and financial challenges rather than seeking more money from the public purse. This decision places enormous pressure on the RAF to reform from within and find sustainable ways to manage its growing liabilities.

“Motorists are already under financial pressure. The priority is to address the fund’s management and financial challenges.” — Transport Minister Barbara Creecy

2. New CEO Appointed: Waseem Carrim Takes the Helm

In a move signalling a fresh start for the embattled fund, Cabinet has approved Mr Waseem Carrim as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Road Accident Fund. The appointment, confirmed in September 2026, comes as the RAF faces some of its most complex operational and financial challenges to date.

The process of appointing a permanent board is also currently underway, replacing the interim board that has been steering the organisation. These leadership changes are seen as critical steps toward stabilising the Fund and restoring public confidence.

3. RAF Faces Surge of Nearly 160,000 Claims After SCA Ruling

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 2022 RAF 1 Form regime and reinstated the original 2008 version. The ruling has triggered a massive wave of resubmitted claims.

What the SCA Ruling Means

Between July 2022 and March 2025, 75,990 claims (72%) were rejected under the stricter 2022 RAF 1 Form requirements. The SCA found that:

• The RAF did not have the authority to impose the additional binding requirements.
• The Minister’s approval of the revised form was unlawful.
• 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 previously rejected were given until 30 September 2026 to resubmit using the 2008 RAF 1 Form, with their claims treated as having been lodged on the original submission date — protecting them from prescription.

The Scale of the Claims Surge

By 1 July 2026, the RAF had already received 62,643 post-judgment claims, with projections indicating a total of 159,591 claims by the September deadline. The financial exposure is staggering:

• Applying the RAF’s average payment of R283,595 per claim to the projected 159,591 claims produces a potential liability of approximately R45.3 billion.
• The RAF paid R8.9 billion on 80,665 claims in the first quarter of 2026/27 (April–June) alone.
• Pretoria accounted for the highest volume of new claims (29,958), followed by Johannesburg (17,904).

To manage the surge, the RAF has brought in additional contractors and interns, introduced overtime, reorganised staff, and made IT and process changes. Its Integrated Claims Management System, Bokamoso, has been reconfigured to accommodate the reinstated 2008 form.

4. RAF Act Amendments on the Cards: Foreign Nationals, Capped Claims & More

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

1. Capped claims — reviewing limits on compensation payouts.
2. Rehabilitation — improving support for injured road users.
3. Mediation and conciliation — introducing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
4. Claims by foreign nationals — addressing the controversial issue of foreigners claiming from the Fund.

The acting DG noted: “The Act in its current form makes the scheme not sustainable.” These amendments are aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of the RAF.

5. R23.3 Billion in Claims from Foreign Nationals Over Five Years

Minister Creecy revealed in a Parliamentary response that 13,127 foreign-related claims were lodged against the RAF between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2026, with a total claimed value of R23.3 billion. The breakdown by financial year is as follows:

It is important to note that these figures represent claimed amounts, not actual payouts. The RAF’s claim management system does not currently differentiate between documented and undocumented foreign nationals. The proposed legislative amendments aim to address this gap.

6. Statutory Cap Increase for Loss of Income Claims

As of 31 January 2026, the RAF officially increased the statutory cap for loss of income and loss of support claims. This adjustment affects how much injured road users and dependants of deceased victims can claim for lost earnings, and is an important update for anyone currently pursuing or planning to lodge a RAF claim.

Key Trends and Takeaways for October 2026

• 🔴 Financial sustainability remains the RAF’s biggest challenge, with no government bailout on the horizon.
• ⚖️ Legal reform is accelerating, with RAF Act amendments expected to be tabled in Parliament soon.
• 📋 Claims volumes are at historic highs following the SCA ruling, placing enormous strain on the Fund’s operational capacity.
• 👤 New leadership under CEO Waseem Carrim signals a potential shift in how the RAF is managed.
• 🌍 Foreign national claims are under the spotlight, with legislative changes likely to restrict or regulate access to the Fund.
• 💰 Claimants continue to face long delays, with some court dates set as far out as 2030 and beyond.

What Should RAF Claimants Do?

If you have a pending or potential RAF claim, here is what you should know:

• If your claim was previously rejected under the 2022 RAF 1 Form, the deadline to resubmit was 30 September 2026. If you missed this, consult an attorney urgently.
• Always use a qualified attorney to assist with your RAF claim to avoid procedural pitfalls.
• Track your claim status via the RAF’s official website at www.raf.co.za or via their WhatsApp line: 071 605 4707.
• Be aware of the updated statutory caps for loss of income claims effective from January 2026.

Conclusion

The Road Accident Fund is navigating one of the most turbulent periods in its history. With no additional government funding, a new CEO, a tsunami of resubmitted claims, and sweeping legislative reforms on the horizon, the coming months will be decisive for the Fund’s future. South African road users, claimants, and legal practitioners should stay closely informed as these developments unfold.

Stay tuned to this blog for daily updates on the Road Accident Fund and other important South African legal and financial news.