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RAF (Road Accident Fund) spokesperson, McIntosh Polela, confirmed the RAF has successfully halted fraudulent claims valued at R2 605 641 281.07 from being paid over the last three financial years.
He said this sterling achievement was as a result of the work done by the RAF’s Forensic Investigation Department, in partnership with various law enforcement agencies.
“A total of 713 claims were repudiated in 2022/2023, 448 in 2021/22, and 4 172 in 2020/21. In the past three financial years there has been a total of 32 arrests, 15 in 2022/23, 12 in 2021/22, and five in 2020/2021. The highest sentence over this period was a 12-year direct imprisonment of an attorney,” said Polela.
According to him, the RAF fights corruption internally and externally.
He said that this has led to the successful arrest and prosecution of various perpetrators, including doctors, attorneys, RAF employees, road accident victims, and employees of corporate companies who have access to road crash information
According to him, hundreds of cases were referred to the South African Police Services (SAPS) following preliminary investigations. In 2022/23, 449 cases were referred to the SAPS, 270 in 2021/2022, and 172 in 2020/21.
Polela added that the number of cases referred to the SAPS over this period is not directly linked to the arrests and convictions mentioned above.
RAF chief executive officer, Collins Letsoalo, said that the fund remains alert and investigates each case as it arises.
“Fraud continues to represent a significant risk to the RAF’s assets, service delivery, efficiency, and reputation. It robs claimants and dependents of the deceased of their livelihood. It also creates a negative impact on the socio-economic status of the country. We will continue to vigorously pursue any party – internally or externally – that engages in fraudulent activities or attempts to do so,” said Letsoalo, adding that people who suspect fraud being committed against the fund can contact 0800 005 919 anonymously.
In the unfortunate event of being involved in a motor vehicle accident, the RAF Contact Centre is reachable on a new number, 087 820 1 111, from Monday to Friday, 07:45 to 16:00.
The RAF can also be reached through its offices countrywide, details of which are available on its website, www.raf.co.za.
