GEORGE MOTORING NEWS - The Road Accident Fund (RAF) will be visiting George on Saturday 19 May when its head-office (Centurion) and Western Cape regional workforce set up a ‘one-stop-shop’ at Zone 9 Community Hall, Thembalethu. People who have been affected by a road accident will be assisted with claims for compensation.
During the RAF's last visit in 2015, over 1000 claimants were assisted.
The event forms part of the organisation’s award-winning ‘RAF on the Road’ outreach campaign which travels to people in far-flung communities, interacting directly with those affected by the accident carnage on South Africa’s roads. On the day, eligible community members are invited to claim directly, finalise their settlement offers, make claim enquiries, finalise rehabilitation, or register cases of alleged misconduct by unscrupulous lawyers.
Community members will also be educated about the RAF, given road safety tips, and assisted with general queries.
Maria Rambauli, RAF Western Cape Regional General Manager, said: “We continue taking our services to communities because of the growing volumes of people who need direct access to us. Last year, the ‘RAF on the Road’ campaign visited Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein and Knysna, during which we assisted over 2 800 claimants.
"This year, we will be in George and other areas around the Western Cape. On Saturday 19 May, our hard-working staff will once again be providing the utmost care and support to claimants and their families at the Zone 9 Community Hall.”
She said the RAF remains committed to delivering services to communities countrywide, despite a legacy of financial and legislative challenges caused by the fund's current fault-based compensation system. The Department of Transport’s proposed ‘no-fault’ Road Accident Benefit Scheme is meant to address these problems by providing benefits to all accident victims and their dependents, irrespective of who was at fault. Benefits will also be defined and paid in a structured manner.
Community members are encouraged to bring their ID documents for enquiries and information on their claim. Other relevant information that will be required for lodging a claim includes case numbers, accident reports, vehicle registrations and contact numbers of all parties involved in the motor vehicle accident.
The RAF will render service from 08:00 to 16:00.
Saturday’s main event will be preceded by road safety awareness on Friday 18 May, during which the RAF will raise awareness about the dangers of unrestrained minors by donating car seats to mothers of new born babies at Oudtshoorn Hospital.
Defensive driver workshops will also be held for two days prior to this in Knysna and Thembalethu.
Individuals who are unable to attend Saturday’s event can also get assistance at the RAF hospital service centre at George Hospital.
Enquiries can also be handled through the RAF Call Centre on 0860 23 55 23 between 07:45 and 18:00 from Monday to Friday. Assistance is available in any of the 11 official languages.
The public can also follow the RAF on social media.
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