Relief for gogo as RAF comes to the rescue
THE Road Accident Fund (RAF) has finally come to Rosina Makondelele's (88) rescue with a visit to an orthotist and orthopaedic specialist in Polokwane for assessment and expert opinion. Makondelele also received a new wheelchair.
LIMPOPO – THE Road Accident Fund (RAF) has finally come to Rosina Makondelele’s (88) rescue with a visit to an orthotist and orthopaedic specialist in Polokwane for assessment and expert opinion. Makondelele also received a new wheelchair.
This after CV published a story: “Gogo hits brick wall“, of how Makondelele of Itsani village near Thohoyandou was injured in a taxi accident in 2011 and was taken from pillar to post by the RAF.
RAF national spokesperson, Sello Mosotho, said the allegation that RAF wanted to dump Makondelele’s claim was unfounded.
He said the RAF was aware of instances where doctors refused to cooperate or accept RAF undertaking certificates, and that the RAF had embarked on a stakeholder management exercise with the medical fraternity to find a solution.
“In the interim, claimants are advised to contact the RAF local office for assistance should they encounter any problems. Makondelele’s claim was lodged in 2012 and assessed by the RAF internal medical team. Based on the medical reports, on June 7, 2013, it was recommended that Makondelele be issued with an urgent medical undertaking certificate,” said Mosotho.
“Section 17 (4A) medical undertaking was issued on June 13, 2013 to provide for future medical treatment and rehabilitation related to the accident in lieu of payment, but despite this, doctors still refused to treat her. Apart from medical expenses benefit, the claimant still had to comply with the serious injury assessment criteria in order to qualify and settle other benefits (head of damages),” he said.
Asked why the RAF demanded R520 00 from Makondelele before completing the forms, Mosotho said the monies in question were charged by the hospital for administration, completion of the RAF documents and copies of hospital records in their possession.
He said the claimant was advised about the costs associated with the completion of these documents.
“The RAF or any of its officials cannot ‘withdraw’ a legitimate claim. The file will remain active for future management of medical treatment as long as the claimant is alive. The allegation is unfounded. The RAF has been liaising with the claimant’s relatives. The RAF does not issue grants. The mandate of the RAF is to provide cover to people who have wrongfully suffered loss or damage resulting from the negligent driving of a motor vehicle within the borders of South Africa,” he said.
“The RAF Act provides that the injured person can claim for various heads of damages, past and future hospital and medical expenses, past and future loss of income or earnings, past and future loss of support for dependents of a deceased victim, general damages for pain and suffering and necessary funeral expenses. To qualify for general damages, a claimant must have suffered 30% and above of total bodily injuries and be classified as serious by a qualified medical practitioner.
“The RAF has assigned a case manager to engage Makondelele and facilitate the reimbursement of all incurred accident related expenses as provided for under the RAF Act. A case manager was assigned by the RAF to assess the claimant’s condition after the undertaking certificate was issued. In the event of claimants being dissatisfied, their concerns are escalated to ensure a satisfactory resolution to their complaints. Makondelele has done just that and we are attending to her problem,” he said.
“The allegations against the RAF are unfounded, but should we in the course of our investigations establish that there was maladministration on our part, then the necessary corrective action will be taken.”
