The RAF is not a lottery, says Deputy Transport Minister Hlengwa

Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa has sent a message to those trying to defraud the Road Accident Fund (RAF), saying it is not a lottery jackpot. 

Hlengwa made these comments launching the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week campaign in Durban on Sunday. 

The RAF’s Snegugu Mavundla, who said fraud was a challenge within the government agency, sparked the Minister's reaction. 

Mavundla said that at times, they cannot help the public because there are people who lie, plan or throw themselves in front of moving vehicles because they know they will get millions of rands. However, now the RAF can avoid this because there are many steps to go through before the road crash victim gets the money they thought they would get. 

Reacting, Hlengwa told those budgeting on getting hurt in road incidents that, “there is no money and National Treasury says since we are collecting R2,17 a litre of petrol or diesel at the pumps and then giving the RAF, it’s one of the things increasing the cost of living in South Africa”. 

“Go look for other ways to get money because soon we will close the R2,17 per litre tap.”

He said because of the exorbitant amounts collected from the RAF, he and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy have agreed and have written a draft bill, which they will take to Parliament, which will reduce the amount payable to people. 

Hlengwa said the RAF is not the lotto. 

“It serves as government intervention for those who cannot help themselves. Therefore, we curse this abuse of the RAF,” Hlengwa said. 

Meanwhile, Hlengwa also expressed concern over road safety in South Africa. 

“Let us not speed on the roads,” Hlengwa said.

“We encourage having a second driver for long distances so there is rest every 200km, every two hours because another thing the RTMC and the department when releasing statistics is that exhaustion on the road behind the wheel has a big impact in causing crashes.”

He added: “I want to, therefore, indicate that it is of critical importance that we do the right things, have the right driver behind the steering wheel, and ensure the roadworthiness of our vehicles on the road. When you are a driver, you don’t just drive your own vehicle, you drive the entire ecosystem, you drive all vehicles around you. It forces you to be observant.”

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za