Road Accident Fund (RAF) South Africa: Key News and Updates – September 2026

Road Accident Fund (RAF) South Africa: Key News and Updates – September 2026

The Road Accident Fund faces a perfect storm in September 2026: a Supreme Court ruling has triggered nearly 160,000 new claims, R21.7 billion in finalised claims remain unpaid, and a major funding model review is underway.

1. SCA Ruling on RAF 1 Form – Major Implications for Claimants

On 30 April 2026, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) declared the 2022 RAF 1 Form unlawful, reinstating the 2008 form. This landmark ruling has set a 30 September 2026 deadline for resubmission of rejected claims. By 1 July 2026, 62,643 claims had already been received, with projections indicating a total of 159,591 claims by the deadline. The potential liability exposure ranges from R40.9 billion to R45.3 billion.

Action Required: If your claim was rejected under the 2022 form, you must resubmit before 30 September 2026 to avoid losing your claim.

2. R21.76 Billion in Finalised but Unpaid Claims

As at 28 June 2026, the RAF had finalised 37,622 claims totalling R21.76 billion that remain unpaid. The delays are attributed to:

• Compliance checks: R11 billion
• Verification processes: R9.1 billion
• Missing documents: R1.7 billion

This backlog represents a significant challenge for claimants awaiting compensation.

3. Foreign National Claims – R23 Billion Exposure

Over the past 5 years, the RAF has faced R23 billion in claims from 13,127 foreign nationals. A court ruling on foreign nationals’ eligibility is currently being appealed by the Department of Transport, adding further uncertainty to this category of claims.

4. RAF Payment Performance – Positive Q1 Results

In Q1 2026/27, the RAF paid R8.9 billion on 80,665 claims, representing a 54% increase year-on-year. This improvement suggests enhanced processing capacity, though it remains insufficient to clear the backlog.

5. Aprav’s National Settlement Hub Proposal

The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (Aprav) has proposed a National Settlement Hub requiring R16 billion from the National Treasury to clear 100,000 ready claims. This initiative aims to accelerate the claims process and reduce the backlog.

6. RAF Funding Model Under Review

The RAF funding model is currently under review, with discussions around a possible new vehicle licence fee and a hybrid model. These changes could significantly impact the fund’s sustainability and claims-paying capacity.

7. SIU Investigation – R50 Million Alternative Bank Account

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) uncovered a R50 million alternative RAF bank account, raising concerns about fund management and governance.

8. Mandatory Mediation Declared a Failure

Mandatory mediation has been declared a failure, with implications for the RAF’s dispute resolution processes.

Practical Advice for Claimants

Critical Deadline: If your claim was rejected under the 2022 RAF 1 Form, resubmit your claim before 30 September 2026. Contact the RAF directly via WhatsApp at 071 605 4707 for assistance with your resubmission.

Key Statistics Summary

Sources

This article is based on information from: Moonstone, IOL, Moneyweb, Newsday, TopAuto, and Parliament of South Africa.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For specific guidance on your RAF claim, consult with a qualified attorney.