GERVAS Dlamini, who lost his wife in a car accident, has been waiting for compensation from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) for almost a decade.

Dlamini said former finance minister Trevor Manuel and his successor Pravin Gordhan had allocated money to the fund.

Yesterday Gordhan increased the RAF's share of the fuel levy by 8 cents a litre, bringing the total "RAF tax" to 88 cent a litre as from April 4.

Dlamini's wife was killed in a taxi accident, leaving Dlamini with three minor children to take care of.

His wife was the sole breadwinner at the time of her death since Dlamini had lost his job.

Dlamini lodged a claim with the RAF for loss of support and companionship - allegedly with the help of an RAF official.

The RAF allegedly lost his file and it was only allegedly recovered in October last year after Sowetan took up Dlamini's case.

The fund called on Dlamini to provide further details and promised to finalise the matter within two weeks. He is still waiting,

"The RAF called and asked for my pay slips and proof that my children were still at school. That was the last time I heard from them," Dlamini said.

He said he was bitter because he contributes towards the RAF every year and had not benefited from the fund when he was in desperate need.

"Every year the minister of finance allocates funds to the RAF so they can take care of us, but the RAF ignores our claim. We contribute to the running of their offices," Dlamini said.

Thulane and Queen Ntshangase, other victims of road accidents, are also still waiting for compensation from the RAF.

Whether Gordhan's 8c/l increase will bring relief to them remains to be seen.