Raf on the Road pays about R7 million to crash victims
Batho Pele “People First” was taken to an all-time high on Saturday, 15 March when the Road Accident Fund on the Road made its services accessible to hundrens of claimants at eMbalenhle.
eMBALENHLE – The Road Accident Fund on the Road distributed R7-m to various crash victims on Saturday, 15 March at the Sijongile Damase Hall.
Crash survivors arrived as early as 4.45am and for the next 13 hours were able to lodge or finalise their claims, report fraudulent activities or make enquiries.
As the day progressed, RAF on the Road staff toiled to keep up with the growing demand of people after many responded to encouragements to claim directly from the Fund.
Dr Eugene Watson, CEO for RAF on the Road, said during a briefing to stakeholders and the media: “On this day we wanted to rewrite the legacy of performance and what makes it even more special is that we are in four provinces at the same time.
“We want to make ourselves more accessible, hence the long queues, and stakeholders affiliated with us have to get a better understanding of what we are about.
“The staff need to become more ‘human based’ when dealing with claimants, thus connecting with the faces behind our files.”
A wide range of high profile stakeholders from national government, the taxi industry, medical and religious fraternity voiced their support of the RAF’s outreach campaign.
Some of those who were present were Deputy Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, chairmen of portfolio committees of transport, executive mayors, CEOs of provincial hospitals, community safety officials and representatives of the National Council of Provinces and school governing body officials.
Reflective uniforms were handed over to various primary schools from nearby communities as part of the RAF’s Road Safety Programme among school children.
The uniforms are worn at scholar patrol crossings in order to instil safety and responsible celebrities such as Ms Luthando Shosha SABC 1 presenter, Zenande Mfenyane who plays Noluntu and Mandla Gaduka who plays Chops in Generations, Popeye and Spinach actors in the SABC 1 drama Zone 14, Kediboni Mkhabela, ProKid and actress Bubu Mazibuko helped the RAF to mobilise the community and also made appearances at the event.
