Road Accident Fund South Africa: Key News, Updates & Trends – June 2026

Road Accident Fund South Africa: Key News, Updates & Trends – June 2026

Published: 19 June 2026 | Updated daily by our news team

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) remains one of South Africa’s most scrutinised public entities in 2026. From mounting court battles and criminal charges against former leadership, to landmark rulings on foreign nationals’ rights and urgent debates about the fund’s financial survival, the RAF is at a critical crossroads. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the most important RAF news, developments, and trends you need to know right now.

1. Court Action Launched Over RAF’s Failure to Pay 430+ Finalised Claims

In the most significant development of the week, de Broglio Attorneys launched a formal court application on 18 June 2026 against the Road Accident Fund, citing the continued non-payment of 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 effect payment in each matter where a settlement agreement or court order exists but payment has not been made within the prescribed 180-day timeframe.

“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 suffered a spinal cord injury and permanent paralysis from the waist down in a road accident four years ago. Despite a court award already being granted in his case, he and his family are still waiting for payment. In another case, Gauteng business owner Sanet du Toit — who nearly died in a head-on collision — has been forced to rely on overdraft facilities of around R500,000 to keep her business afloat while awaiting RAF compensation.

The firm warns that delayed payments directly impact access to medical treatment, rehabilitation, mobility aids, and the financial stability of affected families. In some cases, claimants have reportedly died before receiving compensation that had already been finalised.

De Broglio Attorneys has called for urgent engagement between the RAF, its board, and the Department of Transport to prioritise practical solutions ensuring finalised claims are paid within predictable timeframes.

2. SCOPA Votes to Criminally Charge Former RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo

Parliament’s 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 follows months of heightened scrutiny over governance failures and financial mismanagement at the RAF under his tenure.

Letsoalo, who served as Acting CEO and introduced a controversial strategy of moving away from litigation to direct claims management, had previously faced calls for accountability from multiple parliamentary committees. The SCOPA decision marks a significant escalation, with former RAF board members also facing possible criminal charges.

The move has intensified concerns around oversight, financial management, and accountability within the RAF, and has added urgency to calls for comprehensive governance reform at the entity.

3. SCA Rules: Foreign Nationals Cannot Be Excluded from RAF Claims

In a landmark ruling welcomed by Parliament’s Transport Committee, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) confirmed in April 2026 that foreign nationals — including undocumented foreigners — are entitled to claim and receive benefits from the Road Accident Fund.

The SCA upheld a High Court ruling that the phrase “any person” in the RAF Act does not exclude foreign nationals from claiming compensation for injuries sustained in road accidents on South African roads.

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.”

He called for a review of RAF legislation to formally accommodate foreign nationals, citing models from Botswana and Namibia where visitors are required to take out short-term insurance cover before entering the country. The ruling is expected to significantly increase the volume of claims against the already financially strained fund.

4. RAF Faces Imminent Financial Crisis: R518 Billion in Liabilities

The RAF’s financial position remains dire. The fund carries an estimated R518 billion in unfunded liabilities — a figure that has grown substantially due to stagnant fuel levy income, financial mismanagement, and a surge in claims. Analysts warn the RAF may need a major government bailout to survive.

Key financial facts:

• The RAF levy on fuel is currently R2.25 per litre, a figure critics say is wholly inadequate given the fund’s obligations.
• New RAF claims fell from 328,173 in 2018/19 to 65,732 in 2024/25, partly due to the controversial RAF 1 Form requirement — but a court ruling striking down the form could trigger a massive claims surge.
• Finalised claims also declined from 229,534 to 78,384 over the same period.
• The RAF made R3.3 billion in payouts to claimants in early 2026, but this represents a fraction of what is owed.

AfriForum has warned that it is unreasonable to propose new funding mechanisms before ensuring proper management of the fund, calling for governance improvements as a prerequisite to any funding increase.

5. New Funding Mechanisms Under Consideration: Licence Disc Fees and Private Contributions

With the RAF’s fuel levy income proving insufficient, the Department of Transport (DoT) is actively exploring new funding models for the RAF, including:

• A new RAF fee linked to vehicle licence disc renewals — motorists could soon pay an additional charge when renewing their licence discs to help fund the RAF.
• Private and public sector contributions — the DoT is considering a hybrid funding model that draws on both government allocations and private sector participation.

Deputy Minister of Transport Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa has described reforming the RAF as akin to “fixing an aeroplane while airborne” — acknowledging the complexity of restructuring a fund that must continue operating while undergoing fundamental change.

These proposals are still under review and will require legislative amendments before implementation.

6. RAF 1 Form: SCA Judgment Opens Door for Previously Rejected Claims

In May 2026, the Supreme Court of Appeal issued a judgment against the RAF’s use of the RAF 1 Form as a mandatory claims submission requirement. The RAF 1 Form had been a central pillar of the fund’s strategy to reduce claims volumes and litigation costs.

The RAF issued a formal media statement on 12 May 2026 outlining its position on the SCA judgment. Legal experts warn that the ruling could open the door for hundreds of thousands of previously rejected or lapsed claims to be resubmitted, potentially adding billions of rands to the fund’s already overwhelming liabilities.

The RAF faces a claims surge if the form requirement falls entirely — a scenario that could accelerate the fund’s financial collapse without urgent intervention.

7. Signs of Recovery: Transport Committee Cautiously Optimistic

Despite the many challenges, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport expressed cautious optimism in February 2026, with Chairperson Selamolela stating that the RAF is “on the road to recovery.”

“We are satisfied that indeed there is work happening to improve governance and stabilise the operation of RAF. The committee accepts that RAF is a challenged entity of government, besieged by historical factors that unnecessarily frustrated the work of the entity,” he said.

The committee highlighted improvements in governance, payment systems, and direct claims processing as positive signs, while urging the RAF to accelerate reform efforts and review its legislation to close loopholes.

8. RAF Youth Road Safety Initiative: Driver Training and Education

On 17 June 2026, the RAF released a media statement highlighting its commitment to youth road safety through driver training and road safety initiatives. The fund has been investing in junior traffic training centres at primary schools and community-based road safety education programmes.

This comes against the backdrop of the RAF recording a staggering number of youth deaths and personal injury claims — a trend that underscores the urgent need for preventative road safety measures alongside compensation reform.

9. Key Court Orders and Judgments in 2026

The RAF has faced a barrage of adverse court rulings in 2026:

• RAF ordered to pay R2.2 million to a pedestrian and slapped with a punitive cost order (May 2026).
• RAF ordered to pay 209 road accident victims R47 million within 30 days (April 2026).
• RAF ordered to pay Sunshine Hospital R92 million within seven days (March 2026).
• SCA dismissed RAF’s appeal against a judgment on 181 court orders (February 2026).
• RAF’s counter-application over “blank cheque” claims dismissed (February 2026).
• RAF found to have tried to “make a mockery of the court” in a medical expenses dispute (February 2026).
• In Cele v Road Accident Fund [2026] ZAMPMBHC 2, the court ruled that the RAF cannot benefit from its own delays — dismissing a special plea that a claim had prescribed due to the RAF’s own failure to process it timeously.

10. What RAF Claimants Need to Know in 2026

If you have been injured in a road accident in South Africa, here are the key facts you need to know about claiming from the RAF in 2026:

• Who can claim: Any person injured in a road accident on a South African public road — including South African citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals.
• What you can claim for: General damages (pain and suffering), loss of income, medical expenses, and funeral costs (for dependants of deceased victims).
• Time limits: Claims must generally be submitted within 3 years of the accident date, or within 3 years of the date you became aware of your injuries.
• Payment delays: The RAF is legally required to pay within 180 days of a settlement or court order. If payment is delayed beyond this, you may have legal recourse.
• Legal assistance: Given the complexity of RAF claims and the fund’s history of non-payment, it is strongly advisable to engage a qualified attorney specialising in RAF claims.
• Direct claims: The RAF has been promoting direct claims (without attorneys) as part of its reform strategy, but claimants should be aware of their rights before proceeding without legal representation.

Conclusion: The RAF at a Crossroads

The Road Accident Fund in 2026 is an institution under enormous pressure — financially, legally, and reputationally. With R518 billion in liabilities, a former CEO facing criminal charges, hundreds of unpaid claimants taking legal action, and landmark court rulings reshaping who can claim and how, the RAF faces an existential challenge.

At the same time, there are genuine signs of reform: improved governance structures, new payment systems, parliamentary oversight, and a government committed to reviewing the RAF’s legislative framework. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the RAF can stabilise and fulfil its mandate to compensate South Africa’s road accident victims.

We will continue to monitor and report on all RAF developments daily. Bookmark this page and check back for the latest updates.

Sources: Moneyweb, Parliament of South Africa, Road Accident Fund Media Centre, Africa24 TV, Moonstone Information Refinery, Webber Wentzel, de Broglio Attorneys, AfriForum.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have been involved in a road accident, please consult a qualified attorney.