Road Accident Fund (RAF) South Africa: Latest News, Crisis & Reforms – June 2026

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) in South Africa continues to dominate headlines in 2026, with a wave of court battles, governance scandals, financial warnings, and legislative debates shaping the future of one of the country’s most critical public institutions. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the latest RAF news as of June 2026.

1. Court Action Over 430+ Unpaid Finalised Claims (June 2026)

In one of the most significant recent developments, de Broglio Attorneys launched a formal court application against the RAF on 18 June 2026, citing the fund’s continued failure to pay more than 430 finalised claims — despite settlement agreements having been concluded or court orders already granted.

The application seeks a court order compelling the RAF to provide full reasons and detailed explanations for its failure to make payment within the prescribed 180-day payment period. In some instances, claimants have waited more than two years for compensation that has already been legally agreed upon or ordered by a court.

“These are not numbers on a spreadsheet. They are individuals whose lives have already been fundamentally changed by serious road accidents.” — Michael de Broglio, Director of de Broglio Attorneys

Among the affected claimants is Rory Meintjies, a 29-year-old who was left permanently paralysed from the waist down after a devastating road accident four years ago. Despite a court award having been granted in his case, he and his family are still waiting for payment. Another claimant, Sanet du Toit, a Gauteng business owner who nearly died in a head-on collision, has been forced to rely on overdraft facilities of around R500,000 to keep her koi farm afloat while awaiting her RAF payout.

The firm has called for urgent engagement between the RAF, its board, and the Department of Transport to ensure finalised claims are paid within predictable and reasonable timeframes.

2. SCOPA Votes to Criminally Charge Former RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo (June 2026)

In a landmark parliamentary move, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) voted in early June 2026 to lay criminal charges against former RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo for failing to comply with a parliamentary summons. This decision has intensified scrutiny of the RAF’s governance and accountability structures.

Letsoalo, who served as Acting CEO of the RAF, had previously introduced a controversial new strategic plan that moved the fund away from litigation towards direct claims management. His tenure was marked by significant controversy, and the SCOPA decision signals a new era of parliamentary oversight over the embattled fund.

3. RAF’s Mounting Financial Crisis: R518 Billion in Liabilities

The RAF’s financial situation remains dire. Liabilities have soared past R518 billion, with stagnant fuel levies and alleged financial mismanagement cited as key contributors. The fund faces what analysts describe as an imminent financial crisis, with some reports warning of a potential collapse if urgent intervention is not taken.

The RAF is primarily funded through a fuel levy — currently R2.25 per litre — collected every time South Africans fill up their vehicles. However, this revenue stream has proven wholly inadequate to meet the fund’s growing obligations.

Reports from May 2026 indicate that the RAF may require a major government bailout, with the Department of Transport (DoT) actively considering both private and public contributions to stabilise the fund’s finances. One proposal under consideration is the introduction of a new RAF fee linked to vehicle licence disc renewals, which would require motorists to pay an additional charge when renewing their licence discs.

4. New Funding Models Under Consideration

As the RAF’s financial crisis deepens, the Department of Transport has been exploring alternative funding mechanisms. In May 2026, it was reported that the DoT is considering a hybrid public-private funding model to supplement the existing fuel levy system.

Additionally, the proposal to link RAF contributions to vehicle licence disc renewals has gained traction. This would mean that vehicle owners pay a dedicated RAF fee when renewing their licence discs — a move that could significantly broaden the fund’s revenue base beyond fuel consumption alone.

Deputy Minister of Transport Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa has described the reform of the RAF as a top priority, likening the process to “fixing an aeroplane while airborne” — acknowledging the complexity of overhauling a functioning institution under financial and operational strain.

5. SCA Ruling: Foreign Nationals Entitled to RAF Claims (April 2026)

In a landmark ruling in April 2026, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) confirmed that foreign nationals — including undocumented immigrants — are entitled to claim and receive benefits from the RAF. The ruling upheld a High Court decision that the phrase “any person” in the RAF Act does not exclude foreign nationals.

Transport Committee Chairperson Mr Donald Selamolela welcomed the ruling, stating: “The RAF funding is intended for victims of road accidents, a purpose for which no one should interfere based on nationality.”

The ruling has significant implications for the RAF’s already strained finances, as it potentially opens the door to a broader pool of claimants. Parliament has been urged to review and amend RAF legislation to address the matter formally, with some lawmakers pointing to models used in Botswana and Namibia, where foreign nationals are required to take out short-term insurance cover before entering the country.

6. Courts Continue to Hold RAF Accountable

South African courts have been increasingly assertive in holding the RAF to account for non-payment. Key court developments in 2026 include:

• May 2026: The RAF was ordered to pay R2.2 million to a pedestrian and was slapped with a punitive cost order for its conduct in the matter.
• April 2026: The RAF was ordered to pay 209 road accident victims a combined R47 million within 30 days.
• March 2026: The RAF was ordered to pay Sunshine Hospital R92 million within seven days.
• February 2026: The SCA dismissed the RAF’s appeal against a judgment relating to 181 court orders, further cementing the fund’s legal obligations to claimants.
• February 2026: A court found that the RAF had tried to “make a mockery of the court” in a medical expenses dispute.
• February 2026: The RAF’s counter-application over so-called “blank cheque” claims was dismissed by the courts.

These rulings collectively paint a picture of a fund struggling to meet its legal obligations, with courts repeatedly stepping in to enforce payment on behalf of vulnerable claimants.

7. Signs of Recovery? Parliament Remains Cautiously Optimistic

Despite the litany of challenges, the Portfolio Committee on Transport has expressed cautious optimism about the RAF’s trajectory. In February 2026, Committee Chairperson Mr Donald Selamolela stated that the RAF is “on the road to recovery,” noting that governance improvements and better payment systems are being implemented.

“We are satisfied that indeed there is work happening to improve governance and stabilise the operation of RAF,” he said, while acknowledging that concerns about organisational structure remain and must be addressed urgently.

The committee has called on the Department of Transport to accelerate the review of RAF legislation to close loopholes and modernise the fund’s operational framework.

What Does This Mean for RAF Claimants?

If you have been injured in a road accident in South Africa and are considering or currently pursuing an RAF claim, here is what the latest developments mean for you:

• Payment delays remain a serious problem. Even after a claim is settled or a court order is granted, payment may be delayed by months or even years.
• Legal recourse is available. Courts have consistently ruled in favour of claimants, and attorneys are actively pursuing the RAF for non-compliance.
• Foreign nationals can claim. The SCA ruling confirms that nationality is not a barrier to claiming from the RAF.
• Legislative changes are coming. The RAF Act is under review, and new funding mechanisms may be introduced that could affect how the fund operates in the future.
• Seek legal advice. Given the complexity of RAF claims and the fund’s track record of delays, it is strongly advisable to work with an experienced RAF attorney.

Conclusion: The RAF at a Crossroads

The Road Accident Fund stands at a critical juncture in 2026. On one hand, it faces a deepening financial crisis, mounting court judgments, governance failures, and hundreds of unpaid claimants. On the other, there are tentative signs of reform — new leadership, parliamentary oversight, and proposals for sustainable funding models.

The coming months will be decisive. Whether the RAF can stabilise its finances, comply with court orders, and restore public confidence will determine the fate of millions of South Africans who depend on it in their most vulnerable moments.

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

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