Road Accident Fund (RAF) Update: Claims Surge, R21.7 Billion Backlog & Key Reforms – August 2026

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) in South Africa continues to dominate headlines in 2026, with significant developments around record payouts, a growing claims backlog, landmark court rulings, and ongoing reform efforts. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the latest news and what it means for accident victims, claimants, and South African motorists.

RAF Pays R8.9 Billion in Q1 2026/27 — But the Queue Keeps Growing

In a presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport on 11 August 2026, acting RAF Chief Executive Radikwena Phora revealed that the Fund paid out a record R8.9 billion across 80,665 claims between 1 April and 30 June 2026 — a 54% increase compared to the R5.8 billion paid in the same quarter of the previous financial year.

Despite this impressive increase in payouts, the payment queue has not shrunk. The Requested Not Yet Paid (RNYP) balance actually grew by R3.62 billion during the quarter, rising from R18.56 billion to R22.18 billion, as R12.57 billion in new claims entered the pipeline while only R8.95 billion was paid out.

Where Did the R8.9 Billion Go?

• Loss of earnings: R4.831 billion
• Plaintiff legal and costs: R2.018 billion
• General damages: R1.358 billion
• Loss of support: R291 million
• Past medical expenses: R276 million
• Future medical expenses: R160 million
• RAF legal and costs: R51 million
• Funeral costs: R4 million

The average payment per claim was approximately R283,595. The RAF currently has 301,203 open claims, with 88% still on the older Legacy system rather than the newer Bokamoso integrated claims management platform.

R21.7 Billion in Finalised but Unpaid Claims

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed in a parliamentary reply that as of 28 June 2026, the RAF’s RNYP Claims Register showed 37,622 finalised claims worth R21.76 billion still awaiting payment — involving 47,949 individual payment transactions.

The main reasons for delayed payments include:

• 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 these outstanding claims date back as far as 2007, with 36,442 claims spanning the period from 2007 to 2026. ActionSA MP Alan Beesley raised the issue in Parliament, highlighting the urgent need for the RAF to resolve its payment bottlenecks.

Supreme Court of Appeal Rules on RAF 1 Form — What Claimants Need to Know

A landmark Supreme Court of Appeal judgement on 30 April 2026 directed the RAF to revert to the 2008 RAF 1 Form for claims processing. This ruling has significant implications for thousands of claimants whose claims were previously rejected.

Key Points of the Ruling:

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

RAF Funding Model Under Review — Could a New Vehicle Fee Be Introduced?

The RAF is currently funded primarily through a fuel levy of R2.25 per litre of petrol and diesel sold in South Africa. However, with the Fund carrying an estimated R500 billion in long-term debt, the government is exploring alternative funding mechanisms.

Minister Creecy has confirmed that the Department of Transport is reviewing the RAF’s funding framework, with a mandatory vehicle-linked fee attached to annual vehicle licence renewals or initial registrations among the options being considered. A formal business case is currently being developed, and the outcome will be communicated publicly once finalised.

This potential new fee has already drawn criticism from motoring organisations and the public, who argue that South African motorists are already overburdened with taxes and levies.

Signs of Recovery: Parliament’s Transport Committee Weighs In

Earlier in 2026, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Mr Donald Selamolela, expressed cautious optimism about the RAF’s trajectory. “We are satisfied that indeed there is work happening to improve governance and stabilise the operation of the RAF,” he said.

Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa echoed this sentiment, describing the reform process as “fixing an aeroplane while airborne.” He also raised concerns about a critical gap in the system: claimants not being informed when the RAF has already made payment offers to their attorneys. He called for the RAF to follow up directly with claimants after paying their attorneys — describing this as “a missing link in the ecosystem.”

The RAF has since launched a “boots on the ground” community outreach programme, deploying staff directly into communities to help claimants check claim status, submit outstanding documents, and report unscrupulous attorneys and touts. The most recent outreach was held in Kokstad on 14 August 2026.

Statutory Cap Increase for Loss of Income Claims

As of 31 January 2026, the RAF officially increased the statutory cap for loss of income and loss of support claims. This adjustment is significant for higher-earning claimants who were previously limited by the cap when seeking compensation for income lost due to road accident injuries.

Key Trends and Takeaways for RAF Claimants in 2026

1. Payouts are accelerating — The RAF is paying out significantly more than in previous years, but new claims are entering the system faster than they can be resolved.
2. The backlog remains a serious concern — Over R21 billion in finalised claims are still unpaid, with compliance and verification issues being the primary bottlenecks.
3. Legal changes affect your claim — The Supreme Court ruling on the RAF 1 Form means previously rejected claims may now be eligible for re-processing. Act before 30 September 2026 to avoid prescription.
4. Funding reform is on the horizon — A potential new vehicle-linked fee could change how the RAF is funded, affecting all registered vehicle owners.
5. Community outreach is expanding — The RAF is actively reaching out to communities to help claimants navigate the process and avoid exploitation by unscrupulous legal practitioners.

How to Lodge or Track 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’s how to get started:

• Visit the RAF’s official website: www.raf.co.za
• Use the RAF Self-Service Portal at selfservice.raf.co.za
• Contact the RAF Contact Centre: 087 820 1 111
• WhatsApp: 071 605 4707
• Email: contactcentre@raf.co.za
• Visit any RAF office in Menlyn (Pretoria), Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, or East London

Conclusion

The Road Accident Fund is at a critical juncture in 2026. While record payouts signal improved operational capacity, the growing claims backlog, funding challenges, and systemic inefficiencies highlight the scale of the task ahead. For accident victims and claimants, staying informed about legal changes — particularly the Supreme Court ruling on the RAF 1 Form — is essential to protecting your rights and ensuring timely compensation.

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