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

Introduction: South Africa’s Road Accident Fund Under the Spotlight

South Africa’s Road Accident Fund (RAF) continues to dominate headlines in 2026, as the state-mandated insurer for road accident victims grapples with a mounting claims crisis, landmark court rulings, governance concerns, and urgent calls for structural reform. As of 4 September 2026, the RAF faces a perfect storm of challenges that will shape the future of road accident compensation in South Africa for years to come.

This article summarises the most important recent developments affecting the RAF, what they mean for claimants, motorists, and taxpayers, and what reforms are being proposed to fix the embattled fund.

1. Landmark SCA Ruling Triggers Surge of Nearly 160,000 New Claims

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 RAF’s controversial 2022 RAF 1 Form and reinstated the original 2008 version.

What Happened?

In 2022, the RAF introduced a revised RAF 1 Form with stricter documentation requirements. The Gauteng High Court declared the revised form unlawful in March 2024, and the SCA confirmed this ruling on appeal in April 2026. The SCA found that the RAF did not have the authority to impose the additional binding requirements, the Minister of Transport’s approval was also unlawful, and the revised form created barriers to lodging claims by requiring extensive documentation upfront.

The Impact: A Flood of Resubmitted Claims

The ruling gave claimants whose submissions were previously rejected the right to resubmit their claims using the 2008 RAF 1 Form by 30 September 2026. Successfully resubmitted claims are treated as having been lodged on the original submission date, protecting them from prescription.

By 1 July 2026, the RAF had already received 62,643 claims in this post-judgment stream. Based on the intake rate of approximately 1,492 claims per working day, the RAF projected a total of 159,591 claims by the 30 September deadline. The potential financial exposure could reach approximately R45.3 billion.

Acting CEO Radikwena Phora confirmed the RAF has brought in additional resources including contractors, interns, and overtime, and reconfigured its Bokamoso IT system to handle the surge.

“Between July 2022 and March 2025, 75,990 claims (72%) were rejected for failing to meet the documentation requirements of the unlawful 2022 form.” – Moonstone Information Refinery, August 2026

2. R21.7 Billion in Finalised Claims Remain Unpaid

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy revealed in a parliamentary reply in July 2026 that the RAF is sitting with more than R21.76 billion in finalised claims that have not yet been paid to claimants. According to the RAF’s Requested Not Yet Paid (RNYP) Claims Register as at 28 June 2026, 37,622 claims worth R21.76 billion were still unpaid, involving 47,949 payment transactions. The majority of claims date back to the period between 2007 and 2026.

The main reasons cited for delayed payments include outstanding compliance checks (affecting claims worth almost R11 billion), verification delays (affecting claims worth more than R9.1 billion), and missing documents (affecting claims worth about R1.7 billion).

The Department of Transport confirmed it is reviewing the RAF’s funding model, with options including a vehicle-linked fee attached to annual licence renewals or initial vehicle registrations.

3. Court Action Launched Over Non-Payment of 430+ Finalised Claims

In June 2026, de Broglio Attorneys launched a court application against the RAF following the continued non-payment of more than 430 finalised claims, despite settlement agreements having been concluded or court orders already granted. The application seeks an order compelling the RAF to provide full reasons for its failure to effect payment.

The human cost of these delays is profound. Rory Meintjies, 29, was left with a spinal cord injury and permanent paralysis after a road accident four years ago. Despite a court award already being granted, he and his family are still waiting for payment. Business owner Sanet du Toit nearly died in a head-on collision and has since undergone numerous major operations, with her business surviving on overdraft facilities of around R500,000 over two years.

“In some instances, claimants have waited more than two years for compensation that has already been agreed to or ordered by a court,” said Michael de Broglio. “Families are left carrying the emotional and financial burden of these delays.”

This comes amid heightened scrutiny of the RAF’s governance, following SCOPA laying criminal charges against former RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo for failing to comply with a parliamentary summons.

4. RAF Pays R8.9 Billion in Q1 2026/27 – A 54% Increase

Despite the crisis, there are positive signs. The RAF paid R8.9 billion on 80,665 claims during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year (April to June 2026) – a 54% increase from the previous year. More than 310,000 beneficiaries received payments between October 2024 and May 2026, with total payouts reaching R79.33 billion.

Portfolio Committee on Transport Chairperson Donald Selamolela acknowledged the progress: “We are satisfied that indeed there is work happening to improve governance and stabilise the operation of the RAF.” However, he stressed that reform efforts must accelerate.

5. Proposals to Clear the Backlog: The National Settlement Hub

The Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims (APRAV) has proposed the creation of a National Settlement Hub to address the RAF’s backlog crisis. APRAV vice chair Pieter de Bruyn outlined the proposal at the National Press Club in Pretoria in July 2026. The hub would identify claims ready to be settled, consolidate all evidence into a single file, place decision-makers in the room with real authority to settle, pay out undisputed portions immediately, and track every case until the claimant is actually paid.

The estimated cost to National Treasury would be R16 billion – but De Bruyn was emphatic: “This is really not a bailout.” The funds would go directly to claimants who have been waiting up to 10 years for compensation they are legally owed. He noted that less than 5% of RAF claims are genuinely in dispute, yet 90% end up in court, generating a legal bill of R6 billion.

6. The Funding Model Crisis: What Comes Next?

The RAF is currently funded primarily through a fuel levy of R2.25 per litre of petrol and diesel, generating approximately R4.2 billion per month. Yet the fund carries a total liability estimated at over R500 billion. SCOPA chair Songezo Zibi has stated plainly that the RAF is chronically underfunded – and that even if governance problems are resolved, there will not be enough money to meet all claim obligations.

Options being considered for a new funding model include a vehicle-linked fee attached to annual licence renewals, a hybrid model combining the existing fuel levy with an optional insurance top-up and private sector involvement, and private sector funders purchasing portions of the RAF’s liabilities. De Bruyn cautioned against compulsory insurance, noting actuarial estimates suggest it would cost motorists an average of R2,400 per month – unaffordable for most South Africans.

7. RAF Settlement Drive Heads to Kimberley

The RAF’s official media statements confirm the fund is heading to Kimberley on 5 September 2026 as part of its ongoing Settlement Drive initiative – a programme aimed at resolving outstanding claims directly with claimants in communities across South Africa.

Key Takeaways for RAF Claimants

• 30 September 2026 deadline: If your claim was rejected under the unlawful 2022 RAF 1 Form, you have until 30 September 2026 to resubmit using the 2008 RAF 1 Form. Your claim will be backdated to your original submission date.
• Track your claim: Use the RAF’s WhatsApp number (071 605 4707) to check the status of your claim.
• Seek legal advice: If your finalised claim remains unpaid beyond the RAF’s stated 180-day payment period, consult an attorney about your options.
• Beware of scams: Always verify contact details through the official RAF website (raf.co.za).

Conclusion: A Fund at a Crossroads

The Road Accident Fund stands at a critical crossroads in September 2026. The SCA ruling has opened the floodgates to nearly 160,000 new claims, R21.7 billion in finalised claims remain unpaid, and the fund’s long-term financial sustainability is in serious doubt. Yet there are genuine signs of progress – record payouts, increased parliamentary oversight, and concrete reform proposals on the table.

South Africa’s road accident victims deserve a fund that works efficiently, pays promptly, and is funded sustainably for the long term. The coming months will be decisive in determining whether the RAF can be reformed from within, or whether more radical structural change is required.

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

Sources: Moonstone Information Refinery (August 2026), IOL Business (July 2026), Moneyweb (June-July 2026), Africa24 TV / SA Parliament (February 2026), Road Accident Fund official media statements (September 2026), The Citizen (2026).