RAF In the News
Keep Updated
We invite you to keep abreast of the latest updates on the Road Accident Fund’s New Strategy.
In 2020, Collins Letsoalo, Acting CEO of The Road Accident Fund (RAF) introduced a new strategic plan that involved moving away from litigation to claims management. This strategy had been adopted as, according to Letsoalo, “the current operating model has left the RAF unsustainable”. Moving forward, the priority is early investigation and settlement of claims within 120 days.
We’ve kept a collection of audio clips, video and news articles for you to keep abreast of RAF’s new strategy.

Open letter to the South African public
Gert Nel Incorporated, and particularly our managing partner Mr Gert Nel, in his personal capacity, has fallen victim to a smear campaign orchestrated by the Road Accident Fund led by their CEO Collins Letsoalo. The attack is rooted in the fact that the executive and Board of the RAF had been called on their unlawful reform and mismanagement of the RAF. See in this regard various publications in which our Mr. Nel has highlighted the utter disregard of the rule of law and the Court, resulting in serious prejudice to all road crash victims. Despite calling a media briefing to address the issues raised, Mr. Letsoalo, seemingly unable to prove the contrary, opted to orchestrate a false and defamatory innuendo of corruption as aired and published on various media platforms. RAF spokesperson Mr. Macintosh Pholela also joined in spreading more falsities and unsubstantiated rhetoric to silence the voice of truth.

RAF blocks the disbursement of R65m in fraudulent claims
Read the official response from Gert Nel: View Response Road Accident Fund says more than R1bn in fraudulent claims identified for rejection to safeguard the fund’s financial resources As part of a crackdown on fraudulent and corrupt activities, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) has blocked the disbursement of R65m in claims over the past three financial years. According to the RAF, 2,031 fraudulent claims were rejected: 870 in 2023/2024; 713 in 2022/2023; and 448 in 2021/2022. The RAF said these claims were not processed and finalised because of their fraudulent nature. “Fraud costs the RAF money and negatively affects service delivery to road crash victims and their families,” said RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo. “It is a national problem that threatens the mandate which the organisation seeks to deliver for road users. Partnerships have been forged with various law enforcement agencies and other government departments to verify employment or personal information

RAF national crisis demands urgent action – expert
Written By Ina Opperman | 26 November, 2024 | The Citizen Road crashes disrupt the lives of millions annually and cost the economy R200 billion, according to a recent ministerial report. The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has become a national crisis that demands urgent action as it is mired in a financial and operational crisis, leaving victims waiting up to eight years for compensation. Every time you fill up your car, part of your payment is a lifeline for road crash victims or at least, it should be. South Africans contribute approximately 40% of the total current fuel levy to the RAF, a fund meant to provide medical and financial compensation for victims of road accidents. Yet, despite this substantial public contribution, the RAF is in crisis and the victims bear the brunt as they wait for compensation, professor Hennie Klopper, an authority on third-party compensation law, says. “The reality of these delays is
RAF national crisis demands urgent action – expert
Written by Ina Opperman | Published on 26 November 2024 | The Citizen Road crashes disrupt the lives of millions annually and cost the economy R200 billion, according to a recent ministerial report. The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has become a national crisis that demands urgent action as it is mired in a financial and operational crisis, leaving victims waiting up to eight years for compensation. Every time you fill up your car, part of your payment is a lifeline for road crash victims or at least, it should be. South Africans contribute approximately 40% of the total current fuel levy to the RAF, a fund meant to provide medical and financial compensation for victims of road accidents. Yet, despite this substantial public contribution, the RAF is in crisis and the victims bear the brunt as they wait for compensation, professor Hennie Klopper, an authority on third-party compensation law, says.

Die nasionale krisis vereis dringende optrede
Written by prof. Hennie Klopper | published on 26 November, 2024 | Maroela Media Elke keer wanneer jy jou motor volmaak, is ʼn deel van jou betaling ʼn reddingsboei vir padbotsingslagoffers – of ten minste, dit behoort so te wees. Suid-Afrikaners dra ongeveer 40% van die totale huidige brandstofheffing by tot die Padongeluksfonds (POF) – ʼn fonds wat bedoel is om mediese en finansiële vergoeding aan slagoffers van padverkeerbotsings te verskaf. Ten spyte van hierdie aansienlike openbare bydrae, is die POF in ʼn finansiële en operasionele krisis vasgevang, wat slagoffers tot agt jaar laat wag vir vergoeding. Die werklikheid van hierdie vertragings is nie net ʼn burokratiese ongerief nie – dit is ʼn direkte aanslag op kwesbare mense. Slagoffers ly as gevolg van onbehandelde beserings, verergerende mediese toestande en toenemende finansiële laste. Intussen vervaag die publiek se vertroue in die POF omdat POF-leierskap hul verantwoordelikheid ontwyk en geen tasbare oplossings

South Africa R500 billion disaster
Written by Kirsten Minnaar | 25 November, 2024 | Daily Investor The state of the road accident fund (RAF) in South Africa is rapidly declining, with growing backlogs and over R500 billion in unpaid claims. Many victims find themselves losing their income, home, and even their lives. Gert Nel, CEO of Gert Nel Incorporated Attorneys, explained this, saying that South Africa’s road accident victims face unprecedented delays in compensation as the RAF struggles with severe operational and financial crises. According to the firm, reform is urgently needed to support these vulnerable individuals. In particular, claims processes need to be more efficient to alleviate victims’ burdens. In an open letter earlier this year, Chris Hunsinger, the Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson for transport, alleged that the RAF had suspended claim payments for nearly four months. This suspension has led to a 71.5% decline in finalised claims in 2024 compared to the previous two years. Two weeks

RAF needs a Settlement Hub for crash victims – expert
Written by Ina Opperman | Published on 11 November 2024 There is an urgent need for reform to support crash victims, and an efficient claims process can alleviate the burdens they face. The RAF needs a Settlement Hub where claims for car crash victims can be settled before they go to court to avoid the RAF’s systemic failures from harming them and causing neglect, an expert says. South Africa’s road accident victims face unprecedented delays in compensation as the Road Accident Fund (RAF) struggles with severe operational and financial crises, Gert Nel, CEO of Gert Nel Inc., says. Nel says it is important to settle claims outside of court wherever possible. “Settlements, including compensation for medical costs, lost income, and general damages, provide a faster and less costly resolution for victims. “However, the RAF frequently bypasses these opportunities, particularly in cases already on the court rolls. We recommend that the

RAF Crisis Leaves Victims in Limbo Amid Mounting Backlogs
Written by Neelahm Rahim | Published on 11 November 2024 A significant backlog in the Road Accident Fund (RAF) leaves thousands of South Africans waiting years for critical compensation. Victims, already grappling with injury and financial hardship, face unprecedented delays due to the RAF’s economic struggles and operational issues. In an interview with Radio Islam International, Gert Nel, CEO of the law firm Gert Nel Inc., highlighted the dire situation. “The RAF cannot ascertain its exact financial liability due to an ongoing dispute with the Auditor General over accounting practices. This financial ambiguity compounds delays in compensating claimants,” Nel said. He noted that victims, many of whom rely on timely payments for medical expenses and basic support, are forced to wait far beyond the court-mandated 180 days. The crisis has exacerbated an already strained court system as RAF cases pile up without legal representation on the Fund’s side. “RAF’s decision not to
RAF collapse is bad news for road accident victims, warns expert
Written by Zelda Venter | Published on 15 October 2024 A collapse of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) would have dire consequences, making drivers personally liable for negligent actions and leaving road traffic collision victims unable to recover damages. Therefore, aspects of the current Road Accident Fund Act require revision. In the short term, the government must bail out the RAF to ensure the objectives of its legislation are met. This is according to professor Hennie Klopper, an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Private Law Law at the University of Pretoria and author of Third Party Compensation and RAF Practitioners Guide. Klopper made it clear that the road traffic crash victim compensation system is in crisis. He said while it is clear that the RAF is experiencing financial problems, much attention is being devoted to the current RAF management’s attempts to solve these issues. These range from the reclassification