Written by Zelda Venter | Published on 27 November 2025 | PretoriaNews In a Road Accident Fund claim with a twist, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that when a car is used as a weapon, the fund is not liable to compensate the victim. With negligence not proven and intention not pleaded in this case, the damages claim was turned down. The plaintiff, Oscar Mashengani, in claiming from the fund for the injuries he had suffered after he was hit by a vehicle, remained mum in court regarding the exact circumstances under which he was injured. But several witnesses who were present during the late-night New Year’s brawl, when the incident occurred, shed light on exactly what had happened. On New Year’s Day 2019, the plaintiff and his two friends enjoyed the festivities that come with ushering in of a new year, and they were at the Fish

Written by Sinenhlanhla Masilela | Published on 27 November 2025 | The Mercury A Limpopo man’s claim from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) failed after the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria determined that he was not a victim of a hit and run. Instead, the court determined that he had been involved in a fight where a car was used as a weapon. Oscar Mashengani was hit by a car in the early hours of January 1, 2019, after his opponent, Tendani Edwin Ramunenyiwa ran him over following a fight at Fish Point Tavern in Vleifontein, Louis Trichardt. The fight started after the tavern owner switched off the music and asked Mashengani and his friends to leave the premises. Mashengani asked the owner to lend him a bucket in order to carry the liquor that was remaining – his request was not denied. However, Ramunenyiwa was against the idea,

Written By Nonkululeko Njilo  | Published on November 9th, 2025 | Daily Maverick. As Parliament’s oversight inquiry into allegations of maladministration, financial impropriety and misuse of public funds at the Road Accident Fund continues, four top executives have been suspended. Whether this will improve the fund’s operations and restore public trust remains unclear. In the wake of explosive evidence of the Road Accident Fund’s accounting practices and its collapsing claims system, the board has suspended four top executives – the acting CEO, the chief financial officer (CFO), chief governance officer and the head in the office of the CEO – on precautionary terms with immediate effect.   City Press has named three of them: acting CEO Phathutshedzo Lukhwareni, CFO Bernice Potgieter and chief governance officer Mampe Kumalo.  The RAF noted on Friday afternoon: “These precautionary measures do not in any way constitute a finding of wrongdoing against the affected officials but are intended

Written By Schalk Burger | Published on October 20th, 2025 | Engineering News. The State-owned Road Accident Fund (RAF) made record payments of R694-million on October 17, highlighting the positive impact of its fast-tracking initiatives on daily payment volumes. It has disbursed R17.3-billion in compensation to road accident victims and service providers since April, with R4.18-billion paid out in September alone. This marked the highest amount disbursed in a single month during the 2025/26 financial year. However, the RAF had already paid R2.57-billion in claims for October by October 17, placing the organisation on track to surpass September’s record by month’s end. These figures demonstrate a significant improvement in payment speed and capacity and reflect the RAF’s concerted efforts to reduce the backlog and enhance turnaround times. Claimants, their attorneys and medical service providers are witnessing the benefits of faster and more reliable settlements, the RAF interim board says. This rapid payout underscores the RAF’s dedication to providing timely and fair

Written By Lindsay Dentlinger  | Published on October 11th, 2025 | EWN The fund has also opened new bank accounts and diverted funds into investment accounts to avoid direct payments to claimants who have obtained a writ of execution. The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has reportedly been leasing cars and office equipment worth millions of rand in an effort to avoid having its property attached for the non-payment of claims. The fund has also opened new bank accounts and diverted funds into investment accounts to avoid direct payments to claimants who have obtained a writ of execution. READ: Road Accident Fund officials accused of obstructing SIU investigations These tactics were revealed by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) at an inquiry of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on Friday, which is probing maladministration at the fund. According to the RAF’s payment rules, a valid claim is supposed to be settled

Written By Roy Cokayne  | Published on September 3rd, 2025 | MoneyWeb The financially-distressed Road Accident Fund (RAF) has received a significant High Court blow, which may lead to its collapse. The RAF applied to the High Court in Pretoria for the extension, revival, or reinstatement of a 180-day moratorium on the execution of writs and warrants for capital and interest against it. However, Judge Jabulani Nyathi struck the application from the court roll, with costs, because of a lack of urgency. The RAF had R10.4 billion in unpaid claims at the end of its financial year to 31 March 2025 – and a total claims liability of R40.4 billion – despite this, it maintains it can meet its obligations over the next 12 months. The moratorium provided temporary legal protection from immediate enforcement of court-ordered payments, allowing the RAF up to 180 days to settle claims. The 180-day payment structure

Written By Thanduxolo Jika  | Published on August 31st, 2025 | Sunday Times, Za Allegations have surfaced that the Road Accident Fund’s (RAF) reported success in slashing legal expenditure by over 50% is misleading, masking deeper systemic problems within the organisation. Whistleblowers recently presented evidence to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), revealing operational inefficiencies, inflated claim settlements, and serious dereliction of duty as the real challenges facing RAF. The RAF had publicly celebrated its purported achievement in reducing costly legal fees, framing it as a major turnaround. However, insiders contest this narrative, warning that such figures are a “smoke screen” designed to deflect scrutiny from internal mismanagement. According to whistleblowers, RAF’s operational processes are plagued by delays, lack of accountability, and poor oversight, leading to unnecessary financial losses. They also allege that inflated claim settlements—sometimes granted without adequate investigation—have drained the fund’s resources, undermining its sustainability. “These problems are

By Conviction Staff Reporter | Published on July 10th, 2025 | Conviction The Road Accident Benefits Scheme promises reform, but critics warn it will dismantle hard-won legal protections, exclude vulnerable victims, and deepen systemic failures • Fewer rights, no court access, and reduced compensation.• Vulnerable groups, including dependents and informal workers, left out.• System can’t cope with 1.5 million payments a year. The Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims (APRAV) has voiced strong opposition to the reintroduction of the Road Accident Benefits Scheme (RABS), a Bill previously rejected multiple times by Parliament due to its unconstitutional limitations, unaffordable structure, and impractical design.  “You can’t fix a broken system by stripping away rights. RABS is not reform; it’s regression,” says Ngoako Mohlaloga, APRAV Deputy Chairperson.  APRAV’s response follows COSATU’s recent public support for RABS, which the trade union federation called a progressive measure aimed at protecting the poor. But APRAV