The Board of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) marks its first 100 days in office against the backdrop of a deeply challenging environment. Since assuming office on 8 August 2025, the Board has been confronted with serious governance, financial, and human resource shortcomings that have undermined the Fund’s ability to effectively serve the victims of road accidents.
A Troubled Institution
Upon taking office, the Board found the RAF to be a dysfunctional organisation plagued by:
• Weak financial controls and the absence of effective accountability mechanisms.
• Adverse audit findings from the Auditor-General, reflecting years of non-compliance, financial
mismanagement, and governance failures.
• Acute financial risks. For example, default court judgements against the RAF’s single largest risk.
For the past four years alone, these judgements ballooned to R13 billion in four years. This year
alone stands at under R3 billion.
• Systemic fraud and corruption, as highlighted by investigations conducted by the Special
Investigating Unit (SIU), reports from the Auditor-General of South Africa, and numerous
whistleblowers within and outside the organisation.
• Human resource instability, including a pattern of vindictive suspensions and dismissals that
have damaged staff morale and institutional continuity.
• High vacancy rates at management and executive levels, leaving critical leadership gaps across
the organisation.
These issues have collectively weakened the RAF’s operational capacity, contributed to significant
financial losses, and eroded public trust in one of South Africa’s most important social security
institutions.
First Steps Toward Recovery
Despite these deep-rooted challenges, the Board has spent its first 100 days focused on stabilising the
institution and laying the groundwork for sustainable reform. Key actions include:
1. Restoring Governance and Oversight
• Immediate steps have been taken to reconstitute governance committees and strengthen
oversight of financial and operational processes.
• An independent assessment of governance failures is underway to inform corrective and
disciplinary action.
• The Board has prioritised the implementation of recommendations made by the SIU and the
Auditor-General to prevent further abuse of the system.
• Decisive action will be taken against any employees found to have broken the law,
defrauded the organisation, or contributed to fruitless, wasteful, and irregular
expenditure. Consequence management will be applied consistently and fairly to restore
integrity and accountability across all levels of the RAF.
2. Rebuilding Financial Discipline
• The Board has initiated an audit action plan to address adverse findings and close identified
control gaps.
• A financial recovery strategy is being developed to improve liquidity, compliance, and
transparency in the use of public funds.
• We are addressing the claims backlog. (See below annexure to this press statement that gives
the payment trends).
3. Stabilising Human Resources and Listening to Staff
• A comprehensive review of suspensions, dismissals, and HR-related disputes has been
launched to ensure fairness, consistency, and adherence to due process.
• A recruitment plan is being implemented to fill critical management and executive vacancies
with skilled and ethical professionals.
• As part of its first 100 days, the Board conducted regional roadshows across the country to
engage directly with RAF employees at all levels. During these sessions, staff members shared
their experiences, frustrations, and constructive suggestions for change.
• The Board deeply appreciates the honesty and courage of employees who spoke candidly
about the challenges they face and the reforms they wish to see.
• The insights gathered during these engagements are informing a series of corrective
measures to improve working conditions, rebuild morale, and strengthen performance and
accountability across the organisation.
4. Rebuilding Public and Stakeholder Confidence
• The Board is engaging with the Department of Transport, National Treasury, and other oversight
institutions to rebuild collaboration and credibility.
• Efforts are underway to strengthen relationships with claimants, healthcare providers, and the
legal community through transparent and open engagement.Recognising the Resilience of RAF Staff
Amid these challenges, the Board acknowledges and commends the dedication and resilience of
ordinary RAF staff members who continue to perform their duties with professionalism and
commitment under difficult conditions.
Their hard work and perseverance, often in the face of uncertainty and instability, reflect the true spirit
of public service.The Board extends its deepest appreciation to these employees for keeping the RAF functional during
turbulent times — their efforts are recognised and appreciated by the Board and by all South Africans
who rely on the Fund’s mandate.
A Turning Point for the RAF We inherited an organisation in distress — financially unstable, poorly governed, and deeply affected
by systemic fraud and corruption. Our immediate task has been to stop the bleeding, restore order, and re-build credibility. This will not be a quick fix, but we are resolute in transforming the RAF into a transparent, accountable, and efficient public institution that truly serves the victims of road accidents.
The Road Ahead Looking ahead to the next 100 days, the Board’s focus will be on:
• Finalising and implementing a comprehensive turnaround strategy that addresses
governance, financial management, and service delivery.
• Executing consequence management for all proven cases of misconduct, fraud, and financial
irregularities.
• Filling key leadership vacancies to stabilise operations and build management capacity.
• Rolling out digital and operational reforms to improve claims processing efficiency and customer
service.
• Continuing staff engagement and organisational renewal to build a culture rooted in ethics,
performance, and accountability.
The Board remains committed to working with all stakeholders — including employees, government
partners, law enforcement agencies, and the South African public — to rebuild the Fund’s integrity and
restore its ability to deliver on its social security mandate.
ANNEXURE – RAF ACHIEVES RECORD CLAIMS PAYOUT OF R5.5 BILLION IN OCTOBER 2025
Momentum builds as the Road Accident Fund continues to accelerate payments and restore
dignity to claimants
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has achieved yet another milestone in its ongoing turnaround journey,
disbursing R5.5 billion in October 2025 alone – the highest monthly claim payout recorded in the
2025/26 financial year.
This follows an exceptional performance in September 2025, during which the RAF paid R4.2 billion in
claims, further demonstrating the Fund’s consistent progress in improving payment efficiency.
CLAIMS PAID
Financial Year
2025/2026
April 2025 R1.6 billion
May 2025 R2.4 billion
June 2025 R1.8 billion
July 2025 R2.1 billion
August 2025 R2.6 billion
September 2025 R4.2 billion
October 2025 R5.5 billion
R20.2 billion
To date, the RAF has paid R20.2 billion in compensation for the current financial year (April to October
2025), representing a substantial increase compared with R16 billion paid over the same period in each
of the previous two financial years.
“I am deeply impressed by the dedication and extra effort of RAF staff in processing and paying claims
faster than before,” said the RAF Board Chairperson. “This milestone demonstrates the progress we
are making in delivering justice and dignity to road accident victims through efficient, transparent, and
compassionate service.”
Issued by the Road Accident Fund
