Road Accident Fund RAF South Africa: Key News and Updates – July 28, 2026

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) continues to dominate South African headlines in July 2026, with significant developments spanning court rulings, parliamentary scrutiny, funding reform proposals, and operational updates. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the latest RAF news you need to know.

1. Supreme Court of Appeal Orders RAF to Revert to 2008 RAF 1 Form

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) issued a landmark judgment on 30 April 2026, directing the Road Accident Fund to revert to the 2008 RAF 1 Form for processing claims. The RAF published a public notice on 28 July 2026 outlining the implications for claimants.

What This Means for Claimants

• Previously rejected claims that met the minimum legal requirements under Section 24 of the RAF Act will be accepted for re-processing using the 2008 RAF 1 Form.
• This applies only to claims lodged from 6 May 2022 onwards.
• Claims previously submitted and accepted using the 2022 RAF 1 Form do not need to be resubmitted.
• Claims previously rejected will not prescribe up to and including 30 September 2026, and will retain their original submission date.

Claimants can contact the RAF Contact Centre on 087 820 1 111 (Monday to Friday, 07:45 to 16:00), WhatsApp at 071 605 4707, SMS on 44930, or email contactcentre@raf.co.za.

2. R21.7 Billion in Finalised Claims Remain Unpaid

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy revealed in a parliamentary reply that the RAF is sitting with R21.76 billion in finalised claims that have not yet been paid out to accident victims. As at 28 June 2026, the RAF Requested Not Yet Paid (RNYP) Claims Register recorded 37,622 unpaid claims involving 47,949 payment transactions.

Key Reasons for Delayed Payments

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

Many of the outstanding claims date back years, with 36,442 claims relating to the period between 2007 and 2026.

3. Scopa Inquiry: Incompetence Dwarfs Corruption Concerns at the RAF

Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) has delivered a damning assessment of the RAF. Scopa chair Songezo Zibi stated that while there are serious concerns about corruption at the fund, these are dwarfed by incompetence, which is costing the RAF billions of rands every year.

• Scopa will recommend criminal charges and financial recoveries against those responsible for gross financial mismanagement.
• A criminal charge against former RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo for failing to appear before the committee is in motion, with SAPS already engaged.
• Zibi estimated that if the RAF were run properly, like an insurance company, it could save more than R5 billion per year currently lost to legal costs and inefficiencies.
• Scopa’s inquiry report to be tabled in the National Assembly will recommend legislative changes covering the RAF’s financing, governance, and mandate.

Zibi also highlighted the urgent need for an IT specialist on the RAF board, noting that the heart of the RAF’s success or failure lies in how well it manages its information system.

4. New RAF Funding Model Under Review: Possible Vehicle Licence Fee

The Department of Transport has initiated a structured review of the RAF’s funding framework. One option on the table is a mandatory fee attached to annual vehicle licence renewals or initial vehicle registrations. Currently, the RAF is funded primarily through a fuel levy on petrol and diesel. However, with the fund carrying an estimated R500 billion in long-term debt, the government is exploring sustainable alternatives. The Public Servants Association (PSA) has already rejected the proposed vehicle-linked fee, raising concerns about the additional financial burden on South African motorists.

5. Court Rejects R2.8 Million RAF Claim for Work Dismissal

On 28 July 2026, the North West High Court dismissed a claim for nearly R2.9 million for past and future loss of earnings against the RAF. The claimant was injured in a head-on collision on the N4 between Lobatse and Zeerust on 26 June 2022. The court found that the claimant failed to prove his dismissal from work was caused by injuries sustained in the accident, citing a serious contradiction between his dismissal letter (which cited incapacity) and his industrial psychologist’s report (which recorded insubordination). The judgment also noted that an industrial psychologist cannot diagnose medical conditions, a function reserved for registered medical practitioners under the Health Professions Act.

6. RAF Shows Signs of Recovery

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Mr Donald Selamolela, expressed cautious optimism, stating that the RAF is on the road to recovery. Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa likened the reform process to fixing an aeroplane while airborne. Between October 2024 and May 2026, the RAF paid approximately R79.33 billion in claims and related obligations, benefiting more than 310,000 claimants.

7. RAF Settlement Drive and Community Outreach

The RAF has been actively conducting settlement drives and community outreach programmes. In February 2026, the fund hosted its second Settlement Drive at Ngwelezane Hospital. In July 2026, RAF teams visited the Majakathata Taxi Rank to assist claimants. During National Savings Month (July 2026), the RAF urged road crash claimants to safeguard their settlement payments.

What Claimants Should Do Now

• Check your claim status: If your claim was previously rejected due to the 2022 RAF 1 Form, you may be eligible for re-processing under the SCA ruling.
• Act before 30 September 2026: Previously rejected claims will not prescribe until this date.
• Ensure your documents are in order: Missing documentation is one of the top reasons for payment delays.
• Use qualified experts: Courts are scrutinising expert evidence more closely.
• Contact the RAF directly: Call 087 820 1 111 or visit www.raf.co.za for assistance.

Conclusion

The Road Accident Fund remains one of South Africa’s most complex and contested public entities. July 2026 has brought a confluence of legal, financial, and governance developments that will shape the fund’s trajectory for years to come. Stay tuned to this blog for daily updates on the Road Accident Fund and other key South African legal and financial news.

Sources: IOL Business, Moneyweb, TimesLIVE, Africa24TV, Parliament of South Africa (July 2026)