Another massive backlog for South Africa

The Road Accident Fund currently has a backlog of over 321,000 claims, and CEO Collins Letsoalo has largely placed the blame at the feet of claimants and their representatives.

In a media briefing on 2 May 2024, Letsoalo said that the main reason for delays in the claims process is outstanding documents, such as comprehensive medical assessments for serious injuries.

Letsoalo said that “the fund’s open claim backlog would not be on this scale if road accident victims and attorneys representing them submitted all the required information and documents upfront.” 

“Supporting documents play a crucial role in finalising a claim efficiently and speedily [as] they inform the RAF about what is being claimed, set out the basis of the claim, allow the Fund to investigate, and facilitate an assessment on the merits of the motor vehicle accident,” said Letsoalo.

In hopes of addressing the backlog, the fund has launched a “Drive Your Claim Forward” campaign for anyone who submitted claims before April 2021.

“Through the campaign, the RAF anticipates processing and finalising more claims, thus significantly reducing the waiting period claimants have to endure,” said Letsoalo.

“Claimants and their representatives who submitted their claims before April 2021 are encouraged to deliver all outstanding documents in order for the fund to finalise their claims,” he added.

Claimants can submit their outstanding documents via email on [email protected] or drop the documents off at any of the Fund’s regional offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, East London, and Cape Town.

The documents can also be dropped off at the fund’s customer service centres in Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Kimberley, Mahikeng and Durban.

To find out what documents are needed, claimants can call 087 820 1111, or SMS 44930

Read: How fraudsters have been bleeding the Road Accident Fund for millions