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

South Africa’s Road Accident Fund (RAF) continues to dominate headlines as the entity navigates a complex landscape of financial pressures, legislative reform, surging claims, and ongoing governance scrutiny. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the most important RAF developments as of September 2026.

1. RAF Shows Signs of Recovery – But Reform Must Accelerate

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Mr Donald Selamolela, has stated that the Road Accident Fund is on a road to recovery — contrary to widespread public pessimism. Following a series of parliamentary engagements that began in November 2025, the committee expressed cautious optimism about the progress being made.

Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa, likened the reform process to fixing an aeroplane while airborne — acknowledging the difficulty of overhauling a functioning institution without disrupting service delivery. He confirmed that direct claims remain an immediate area of attention, with the RAF’s new operating model targeting settlement of all new claims within 120 days.

The committee also called on the Department of Transport to urgently review RAF legislation to close existing loopholes that have historically been exploited.

2. R23.3 Billion in RAF Claims Lodged by Foreign Nationals Over Five Years

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy revealed in a parliamentary response that a staggering R23.3 billion in claims were lodged by foreign nationals between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2026 — across 13,127 individual claims.

Of the R23.3 billion claimed, the RAF paid out more than R6 billion over the same period. The sharp spike in 2025/26 — reaching R8.5 billion — has raised alarm bells. The Department of Transport is currently in court appealing a Gauteng High Court ruling that struck down a RAF directive requiring foreign nationals to prove their legal presence in South Africa at the time of injury.

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

The RAF is grappling with a massive influx of claims following a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling. As of the latest parliamentary presentation, the RAF had already received 62,643 claims under the RAF 1 (old) liability framework, with an estimated 96,948 additional claims expected before the 30 September 2026 deadline — bringing the projected total to approximately 159,591 claims.

The RAF’s total liability under RAF 1 has been estimated at approximately R40.9 billion.

Acting Chief Executive Radikwena Phora confirmed that the RAF has taken emergency measures to manage the intake, including bringing in additional contractors and interns, introducing overtime, reorganising internal processes, and making IT and system changes to handle the volume.

4. Unpaid Claims Backlog Reaches R21.7 Billion

According to a July 2026 report, the RAF’s unpaid claims register showed that 37,622 claims worth R21.76 billion remained unpaid as at 28 June 2026. These claims involved 47,949 individual payment obligations, highlighting the scale of the backlog that accident victims are still waiting to receive.

5. RAF Records Strong Q1 2026/27 Payments — Up 54% Year-on-Year

Despite the challenges, the RAF demonstrated improved payment performance. During the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year (April to June 2026), the RAF paid out R8.9 billion across 80,665 claims — a remarkable 54% increase compared to the same period in the previous financial year.

6. Proposals to Fast-Track the RAF Claims Backlog

The Accident Victims Association (APRAV) has proposed a practical solution to address the RAF’s claims backlog — a system that would fast-track claims that are already ready for payment, rather than holding them up while the RAF works through its broader structural and financial problems. APRAV’s Pieter de Bruyn has been vocal in calling for urgent reforms, particularly following scrutiny from Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA).

7. RAF Hits Back at Law Firm Over Sponsored Article

The RAF responded to a sponsored article published by a law firm that was critical of the Fund. The RAF stated that it paid R1.48 billion across 1,608 claims associated with the firm over the 20-month period between October 2024 and May 2026. This exchange highlights the ongoing tension between the RAF and the legal fraternity, as the RAF actively works to reduce legal costs as part of its reform agenda.

8. RAF Settlement Drive Continues at Hospitals

The RAF hosted the second instalment of its Settlement Drive at Ngwelezane Hospital in February 2026. These drives are part of the RAF’s broader strategy to reach claimants directly — particularly those in rural and underserved communities — and settle claims without the need for lengthy litigation.

Key Trends and Takeaways

1. Financial pressure is intensifying — with a R21.7 billion unpaid backlog, R40.9 billion in RAF 1 liabilities, and R23.3 billion in foreign national claims, the Fund’s financial sustainability remains a critical concern.
2. Reform is underway but slow — Parliament and the Department of Transport acknowledge progress, but emphasise that the pace of reform must accelerate.
3. Legal costs remain a flashpoint — the RAF’s push to reduce attorney involvement and promote direct claims is creating friction with the legal sector.
4. Foreign national claims are under the spotlight — the sharp increase in claims from foreign nationals in 2025/26 has triggered political debate and legal challenges.
5. Payment performance is improving — the 54% year-on-year increase in Q1 2026/27 payments is an encouraging sign that operational capacity is growing.

How to Lodge a RAF Claim

If you or a loved one has been injured in a road accident in South Africa, you may be entitled to compensation from the Road Accident Fund. Here are the key steps:

• Report the accident to the police and obtain a case number.
• Seek medical attention and keep all medical records and reports.
• Complete the RAF 1 claim form (available on the RAF website at www.raf.co.za).
• Submit your claim within 3 years of the accident date (or within 3 years of turning 18 for minors).
• Consider consulting a qualified attorney who specialises in RAF claims.

Note: The RAF’s new operating model aims to settle all new direct claims within 120 days of submission.

Stay informed about the Road Accident Fund — bookmark this page and check back daily for the latest RAF news, updates, and claim guidance.

Published: 11 September 2026 | Sources: Newsday, Africa24 TV, Moonstone, IOL, Sowetan Live, TopAuto, Moneyweb