ROAD accident victims continue to suffer prejudice at the hands of unscrupulous attorneys and the Road Accident Fund (RAF).

Six accident victims are accusing Xolani Nkosi of Nkosi Attorneys of disappearing with their compensation fund money after he successfully lodged claims on their behalf to the RAF.

The victims were awarded an estimated sum of R80000 each. None of them has received a cent from the law firm.

Nkosi Attorneys moved office and left no forwarding address, said the claimants.

- Themba Hlatshwayo is one of Nkosi's clients who has not heard from him since the settlement.

Hlatshwayo of New Castle was on his way to Johannesburg when the taxi he was traveling in became involved an accident.

He was left with a dislocated shoulder blade and hospitalised for three months, he said.

He said while in hospital he was visited by a Nkosi Attorneys representative who told him they were experts in road accident claims.

Hlatshwayo said he gave all the details needed to facilitate his claim and later met Nkosi for a follow-up interview.

"I was also referred to another specialist for a further medical report, which he used to substantiate my claim," Hlatshwayo said.

Hlatshwayo said he believed Nkosi was acting in his best interest and was shocked when he discovered the lawyer had changed offices and skipped with his R83500 without leaving a forwarding address.

lZikhona Mbedla was awarded R80000, which was also deposited into Nkosi Attorneys' trust account on May 8.

Mbedla was wheelchair-bound for four months after her hip was dislocated in an accident.

She came to Johannesburg from Eastern Cape in 2007 in search for employment.

Mbedla said she had matriculated but had no funds to further her studies.

"I though I could work as a domestic and study part-time, but that was not to be because I had to go home to nurse my injuries instead," she said.

The 26-year-old said if Nkosi were to pay her she would still pursue a career in education.

She said she would have applied for a bursary to study teaching had she known how to go about it while at school.

"Our problem is that teachers in the rural areas do not distribute such information to us on time, if they know at all," Mbedla said.

Mbedla said she would go back to school to studying teaching as soon as she received her payout from Nkosi - if he can be found .

lDoris Mabuza and her son Khulekani were awarded R75000 and R74000, respectively.

They too have not received their compensation, though Nkosi Attorneys has received the money from the RAF.

Clement Mdlalose's compensation of R75000 was paid into the attorneys' trust fund on August 30, while Khanyisile Hlabati's R80000 was paid out in May.

- Gelvas Dlamini claims the RAF failed him after his wife was killed in a road accident in 2003.

Dlamini said he approached the RAF because he thought they were better than the attorneys who are after their clients' compensation money and keep it for themselves.

Dlamini said he made a death claim to the RAF and supplied all the necessary documentation.

He was told it would take a few months to settle his claim.

"It's been eight years, no one has given me an update and I cannot get hold of Tebogo Mabotja, who is handling my claim," Dlamini said.

He said the RAF should a least tell him whether he will get any compensation for his wife's death. If not, they should explain to him why he cannot be compensated .

Consumer Line could not get comment from Nkosi.

Nkosi has not responded to text messages sent by Sowetan to his cellphone at the time of publication.

Connie Nel of the RAF is investigating why there has been a delay in Dlamini's matter.