The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is bringing its services closer to Limpopo residents, with a community outreach programme scheduled to take place at Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane on Saturday, October 31.
The initiative aims to help road accident victims and their families access essential services without the financial and logistical burden of travelling to permanent RAF offices.
The outreach forms part of the fund’s Extended Reach and Accessibility Programme, which seeks to improve service delivery, strengthen engagement with claimants and rebuild public confidence in the institution.
Residents will have an opportunity to receive assistance with registering new claims, submitting outstanding compliance documents, checking claim statuses and settling direct claims.
The programme will also provide a platform for members of the public to report unscrupulous attorneys and touts who exploit road accident victims.
Claimants who hold Medical Undertaking Certificates will be able to consult RAF officials about caregiving services, case management, medical treatment and outstanding invoices.
Residents seeking assistance are encouraged to bring their identity documents.
Those intending to register new claims should also bring any available police case numbers, accident reports, medical reports, vehicle registration numbers and details of other parties involved in the accident.
The outreach reflects the Deputy Minister of Transport’s drive towards a more accessible, responsive and claimant-centred RAF service model.
It is also intended to strengthen cooperation between national government, the RAF, municipalities, provincial structures and community stakeholders to improve service delivery.
Experienced RAF officials will be available to guide claimants and their families through the relevant processes while gathering feedback on challenges affecting claims processing, communication and access to services.
Ahead of the main outreach event, the RAF will conduct a caregiver training programme aimed at equipping caregivers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to provide appropriate care to people living with disabilities.
The initiative is particularly aimed at individuals who care for family members recovering from motor vehicle accidents but lack formal healthcare training.
According to the RAF, adequately trained caregivers play an important role in improving the quality of care provided to accident survivors, helping prevent avoidable hospital readmissions and reducing the risk of complications and further disability.
The programme seeks to strengthen the support available to accident survivors, particularly those who require ongoing assistance at home.
Meanwhile, on October 27 and 28, the RAF will conduct its Defensive Driver Training programme for bus drivers from Kopano and Greater North Transport.
The theory-based workshops will focus on practical road safety measures, including speed management, vehicle roadworthiness, tyre maintenance, hazard identification and avoiding driver distractions.
Drivers will also receive guidance on preventing overloading, anticipating potential risks and taking appropriate corrective action when confronted with dangerous situations on the road.
The training is intended to improve driver awareness and encourage safer driving practices among public transport operators.
The RAF will also extend its Child in Traffic programme to learners from four schools in Seshego and Mankweng.
The initiative aims to educate children about road safety and equip them with the knowledge needed to navigate traffic environments more safely.
The programmes form part of the RAF’s broader commitment to reducing motor vehicle accidents, saving lives and minimising the social and economic costs associated with road crashes.
For residents of Polokwane and surrounding municipalities, the October 31 outreach presents an opportunity to engage directly with RAF officials, seek assistance with outstanding claims and obtain guidance on services available to accident victims and their families.
