RAF on the road blitz pays over 160 million to crash victims

In scenes reminiscent of South Africa’s first democratic elections 20 years ago, crash survivors arrived as early as 04h45 and for the next 13 hours were able to lodge or finalise their claims, report fraudulent activities, or make enquiries. As the day progressed, RAF on the Road staff toiled to keep up with the growing demand of people at Mega City in Umlazi, Mthatha City Hall, Orlando’s YMCA in Soweto, and Sijongile Ndamase Hall in Embalenhle Township after many responded to encouragement to claim directly with the Fund.

Prior to yesterday’s campaign in the four provinces, a total of 31 outreach campaign events had occurred in nine provinces, while settlement offers worth approximately R254 million had been made since March 2012. Yesterday, this tally increased to 35 and total settlements of R415 million, bringing much-needed relief and socio-economic balance amongst claimants and families torn apart by road crashes.

Deputy Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, who was at the YMCA, said yesterday’s event was a momentous occasion and the good story which had to be told, while one stakeholder in the taxi industry pointed out Batho Pele was not just a slogan but gradually becoming a daily exercise at the RAF.

Yesterday, Mega City was bursting at the seams with about 4000 people and some could not be attended to.

However, these people were assisted during another outreach session today at the same venue between 06h00 and 14h00. A sudden thunderstorm in Mthatha failed to dampen the spirits of those in attendance, while the people of Embalenhle took advantage of the splendid Mpumalanga weather by coming out in their droves.

RAF CEO, Dr Eugene Watson, said during a briefing to stakeholders and the media: "On this day we wanted to rewrite a legacy of performance; what made it even more special was that we were in four provinces at the same time. We wanted to make ourselves more accessible (hence the long queues), stakeholders affiliated with us had to get a better understanding of what we are about, and staff needed to become more ‘human based’ when dealing with claimants, thus connecting with the faces behind our files.”

A wide range of high profile stakeholders from national government, the taxi industry,

medical and religious fraternity voiced their support of the RAF’s outreach campaign.

Some of those who were present were Deputy Minister Chikunga, chairpersons of portfolio committees of transport, executive mayors, CEOs of provincial hospitals, community safety officials, and representatives of the National Council of Provinces and school governing body officials.

Reflective uniforms were handed over to various primary schools from nearby communities 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.

Celebrities Luthando Shosha (SABC 1 presenter), Zenande Mfenyane (Noluntu on Generations), Popeye, Spinach, Mandla Gaduka (Chops on Generations), Kediboni Mkhabela, ProKid and actress Bubu Mazibuko, assisted the RAF in mobilizing the community and also made appearances at the event.