There was jubilation as hundreds of claimants heeded the call to come directly to the Road Accident Fund (RAF) yesterday and left with a staggering R20.9 million’s worth in settlements during the 26th RAF on the Road outreach campaign at Batho Community Hall in Mangaung.

This is a new record set by the RAF after the last highest amount achieved was R20.03 million in Mdantsane on 28 July 2012. This brings the total amount of settlements paid since the campaign began in March 2012 to about R200 million. The hall was abuzz as several crash survivors queued up as early as 06h00 to lodge or finalise claims, complain about dishonest lawyers or make queries. By the end of the day, about 1100 people had walked through the hall doors, exceeding all expectations of RAF staff. “We are overjoyed that the Fund could once again make such a difference to the lives of so many people who have been maimed or permanently injured in car crashes,” said Nozipho Jafta, RAF Chief Marketing Officer.

One of those claimants whose life is going to change for the better is 14-year-old Thembisa Biko, who was knocked over by a car in 2011 and suffered head and leg injuries. Forced to leave school after being taunted by bullies who branded her as abnormal because of her mental incapacity, Biko has since been assisted by the RAF with rehabilitation, a wheelchair and a walking frame. Her grandmother has been appointed as her caregiver and is paid by the RAF, while arrangements to secure her admission into a special school next year have been finalised.

Stakeholders from provincial government and taxi industry voiced their support of the RAF’s outreach campaign, encouraging claimants to approach the Fund instead of using unscrupulous legal representatives. Speaker in the Mangaung Metropolitan Council, Mxolisi Siyonzana, chastised lawyers for taking advantage of ordinary people, while SA National Taxi Association (SANTACO) General Secretary, Phillip Taaibosch, reiterated SANTACO’s commitment to promote direct claims by providing people with information about how to claim through the RAF. He further committed his organisation to do its utmost best to support accident survivors to reach RAF service points around the country.
Reflective uniform was handed over to Phahamisang and Mangaung primary schools as part of the RAF’s road safety programme among school children. The uniform is worn at scholar patrol crossings in order to instill safe and responsible road behaviour amongst the youth.