MK party attacks R23.3bn in RAF claims by foreign nationals and vows legal change

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has disclosed that foreign nationals lodged more than R23.3 billion in claims with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) over a five-year period, prompting the MK party to demand legal changes and tighter immigration checks.

Key figures and what they mean

In a parliamentary response, Creecy said “as at 31 March 2026, the total Rand value claimed on foreigner-related claims that were lodged over the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2026 was R23 323 568 682.” She added that these figures refer to claims lodged with the RAF and not the actual amount paid out by the fund, noting the R23.3 billion represents the total value claimants hoped to receive.

MK party reaction

MK party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu described Creecy’s disclosure as “shocking” and said it highlighted what he called the government’s failure on immigration and border control. He also said the RAF’s claim management system does not differentiate between documented and undocumented foreign nationals.

“Most shockingly, Minister Creecy admitted that the RAF’s claim management system does not differentiate between documented and undocumented foreign nationals. This, alone, exposes the fundamental immigration and border control failure of this government,”

Mahlangu accused the ANC‑led government of demonising civic organisations that raise service delivery concerns instead of securing borders and fixing Home Affairs, and said that while South Africans wait years for payouts, “billions are being claimed by people who are not even supposed to be in the country.”

Policy response proposed by MK

The MK party said the R23.3 billion being claimed should instead address issues including collapsing infrastructure, unemployment and failing municipalities. To address what it calls systemic abuse, the party announced plans to table a Private Member’s Amendment Bill to Section 17 of the RAF Act.

The proposed changes, as outlined by the MK party, would:

• Prohibit claims by undocumented foreign nationals.
• Require valid documents such as passports, visas, and compulsory accident insurance for any foreign claim.
• Reconfigure RAF systems to verify immigration status with Home Affairs before processing claims.

Year-by-year fluctuations

The parliamentary figures show fluctuations in foreigner-related RAF claims over the five-year span:

• 2021/22: R5.05 billion
• 2022/23: R5.49 billion
• 2023/24: R1.35 billion
• 2024/25: R2.89 billion
• 2025/26: R8.53 billion (the highest on record)

Scope of the disclosed figures

Creecy’s disclosure also stated that 13 127 foreign claims worth more than R23.3 billion were lodged against the RAF between April 2021 and March 2026. The minister emphasised the distinction between amounts claimed and amounts actually paid by the fund.

The MK party has signalled it will pursue legislative change through a Private Member’s Amendment Bill to tighten eligibility and verification for foreign claims under the RAF Act.