GEORGE NEWS - You don't need an attorney to lodge a claim with the Road Accident Fund (RAF). This was the message of Dominic du Plessis, RAF regional general manager in Cape Town, on Sa-turday during a community outreach in Thembalethu.
"Processing a claim lodged directly with the RAF can be as quick as through an attorney and will save the claimant a legal fee that can amount up to 25% of the value of the compensation approved by the fund."
The RAF is trying to make its services more accessible to communities through outreach efforts like the one in Thembalethu, which saw hundreds of people flocking to the Zone 9 community hall. About 50 RAF employees were waiting to assist them with claims. An outreach was held simultaneously in Plettenberg Bay.
Speakers representing various role-players such as Sanral, the Education Department (Safe Schools), Sassa and ER24 emergency services were on the programme.
The keynote speaker, Western Cape Transport and Public Works Minister Donald Grant, said South Africa ranks third in the world in road deaths with 34 deaths per 100 000 of the population. According to a 2012 survey by the Medical Research Council, there are close to 18 000 road deaths annually.
"The disastrous effects that road trauma has on the economy is another major challenge, with the National Department of Transport estimating the cost of road deaths to South Africa at R306-billion, 8% of the GDP," said Grant.
He highlighted various initiatives by the Western Cape to curb road fatalities which led to a 30% reduction in road deaths since 2009.
- When someone is killed in a road accident, the RAF can assist with funeral costs;
- It can refund medical expenses resulting from a road accident;
- In the case of a loss of income in a household as a result of a road accident, dependents are entitled to claim;
- General damages such as compensation for pain and suffering as a result of a road accident are also covered.
Claims in George may be lodged directly with the RAF satellite office at the George Hospital.
The RAF call centre phone number is 086 023 5523.
Western Cape Transport and Public Works Minister Donald Grant (right) was the keynote speaker at the Road Accident Fund outreach programme. With him are RAF Regional General Manager Dominic du Plessis, RAF board member Advocate Dimakatso Qocha and RAF Chief Operating Officer Lindelwa Jabavu. Photos: Alida de Beer
ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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