The Road Accident Fund paid R28.5 million to 16 suspended employees who sit at home
Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy revealed that the Road Accident Fund paid R28.5 million to 16 employees who are currently on suspension.
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is a South African state insurer established under the Road Accident Fund Act of 1996.
It provides social indemnity insurance to all drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists using South African roads.
The Road Accident Fund is funded almost entirely by a statutory levy levied on every litre of petrol and diesel sold in South Africa.
The RAF has faced financial challenges for years. It is technically insolvent and has been gutted by mismanagement and corruption.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has previously revealed that the RAF colluded with criminal syndicates to pay out false claims.
The fund has also faced several accusations that it attempted to hide money to avoid paying claims and legal fees.
The government is trying to address the problems at the RAF by suspending and investigating corrupt employees, but it comes at a high cost.
This was revealed following a Parliamentary question by National Assembly member Alan Beesley, who requested information about the fund.
He asked the Transport Minister for the number of Road Accident Fund employees who are currently on suspension.
Beesley also asked Creecy about the cost to the RAF of the salaries and other remuneration paid to employees on suspension.
She responded, saying that 16 Road Accident Fund employees are currently suspended, which costs the institution R28.542 million.
The employees were suspended between May 2024 and July 2026. She did not give reasons for the suspensions.
“In accordance with the requirements of the labour legislation, all suspensions are paid pending the finalisation of the respective disciplinary processes,” Creecy said.
The Minister added that the monthly salaries of the suspended employees range from R48,796.00 to R333,874.00.
Many of the disciplinary hearings are scheduled for the next two months, and some rely on a forensic investigation.
The table below provides an overview of the suspended Road Accident Fund employees.
| Number of employees | Date of suspension |
| 1 | May 2024 |
| 1 | August 2024 |
| 1 | September 2024 |
| 1 | November 2024 |
| 1 | March 2025 |
| 6 | November 2025 |
| 2 | March 2026 |
| 3 | July 2026 |
Loading ...
According to my knowledge, if an employee is suspected of an offence and should be removed from the place of work due to the possibility of interference with witnesses or poses a danger to other employees, the Disciplinary Code (applocable to ALL government institutions) clearly states that after suspension, the disciplinary investigation should be instituted immediatly and the hearing should happen ASAP after finalising the investigation. The raeson is twofold : (a) because the employee has a right to a speedy hearing, and (b) to save money because suspension is WITH PAY. How on earth can an employee be on suspension for 2 years without any progression in the case !!!!!!!!!!! Such suspensions now (a) works in FAVOUR of the employee (sitting at home, moonlighting, etc. and (b) wastefull expendature from the employer. This is just a small part of the consequences this type of adhering to law has on the fiscus. What about morale, more pressure on remaining staff being added the extra burden of the absent member’s tasks (more shoddy work results), etc.
The other downside of the employers attitude towards applying the Disciplinary Act, is that the culprit can claim that he/she was denied the right of a speedy hearing, and the Chairperson at the hearing then has to rule in favour of the offender and dismiss the case.
Employers making themselves guilty of this type of disciplinary action MUST be taken to task and be disciplined SEVERELY.