The Road Accident Fund said it has blocked the payout of over R60 million in fraudulent claims over the last three financial years as part of a crackdown on fraudulent and corrupt activities.
According to the fund, a total of 2031 claims were rejected between the 2021 and and 2023 financial years- 870 in 2023/2024, 713 in 2022/23, and 448 in 2021/22 and were rejected because of their fraudulent nature.
"The Fund's fraud detection strategy aims to enhance the operational plan of ensuring that the RAF reduces the time it takes to pay legitimate claims to claimants that are genuinely impacted by road crashes," the fund said in a statement.
RAF Chief Executive Officer, Collins Letsoalo said Fraud costs the road accident fund money and negatively impacts service delivery to road crash victims and their families.
"It is a national problem that threatens the mandate the organisation seeks to deliver for road users."
Letsoalo said this month Siyabulela Kima was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the East London Regional Court for submitting a fraudulent claim to the value of more than R8m.
In his claim, Kima alleged that an unknown speeding vehicle overtook a truck, left its lane, and collided with his car. This caused him to lose control of his motor vehicle and crash into a nearby house.
However, investigations revealed that the accident resulted from Kima having a medical emergency while driving, and no second motor vehicle was involved.
The fund continues to enhance its anti-fraud and corruption efforts throughout the organisation to benefit road crash victims whose lives are sometimes changed forever by motor vehicle accidents.
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 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
