MK party slams R23.3bn RAF claims by foreign nationals, vows law change
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy disclosed that foreign nationals have lodged more than R23.3 billion in claims with the RAF.
The MK party has harshly criticized the South African government for paying out R23.3 billion in claims to foreign nationals through the Road Accident Fund (RAF), accusing the administration of failing to control immigration and borders. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy revealed that between April 2021 and March 2026, foreign nationals filed over 13,127 claims totaling R23.3 billion.
The figures, disclosed in response to a parliamentary query, highlighted that the RAF does not distinguish between documented and undocumented claimants, sparking concerns about oversight. Creecy clarified that the R23.3 billion represents the total value of claims lodged, not the actual payouts. MK party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu called the revelation "shocking," emphasizing that the RAF's claim management system fails to differentiate between documented and undocumented foreign nationals, which is evidence of the government's neglect of citizens.
He accused the ANC-led government of demonizing civic organizations and failing to prioritize national security. The MK party argued that the R23.3 billion should instead be allocated to address pressing issues such as infrastructure collapse, unemployment, and struggling municipalities. To combat systemic abuse, they plan to introduce a Private Member's Amendment Bill to Section 17 of the RAF Act, which includes prohibiting claims from undocumented foreign nationals, requiring valid documents for claims, and strengthening RAF systems to verify immigration status before processing claims.
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