THERE is something inherently wrong with a system that can defraud victims of millions of rands year after year.
This is the tragic cycle of events at the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
The fund was established "to provide cover to road users in South Africa for incidents arising from the use of motor vehicles and, in a timely and caring manner, compensate persons injured or their families in the event of fatal accidents, rehabilitate the injured, indemnify the wrongdoers, and actively promote the safe use of the roads".
But yesterday - yet again - we reported that "victims continue to suffer prejudice at the hands of unscrupulous lawyers and the RAF".
This is a continuous cry from those who have been involved in motor accidents.
This time Xolani Nkosi, of Nkosi Attorneys, has vanished after receiving nearly R1.3-million from the RAF on behalf of six accident victims. It is one of many incidents in which victims have received a pittance while lawyers have banked millions.
The last annual report of the RAF stated that it had won 300 out of 1047 cases of fraud estimated at R250-million. This report was presented to Parliament this year. A total of 251 people pleaded guilty to defrauding the RAF during this period.
It was further affirmation that, like heist kingpins who will not stop pursuing cash vans and financial institutions with a vengeance, mercenary lawyers will not stop taking aim at the RAF.
"Regrettably, fraud represents a significant risk to the RAF's assets, service delivery, efficiency and reputation," the report said. "While policies and controls to detect and prevent fraud are in place, the potential spoils from committing economic fraud against the RAF are often too tempting for fraudsters to resist."
We submit that corroboration is as gut-wrenching to the poor and disabled as their hopeless situations.
That these acts of felony are committed by law officers, people who are supposed to be upholders of the law and sympathetic to the needy, paints an even more gloomy picture. The poverty of the likes of Doris Mabuza and her son Khulekani don't even stir their emotions.
We need law officers who are true to the oath.
How the RAF calculates or accepts inflated claims by attorneys also boggles the mind. For lawyers like Nkosi to pocket R1.3-million while six victims share R250000 poses more many questions.
The time for talking is over. Victims must never be plunged into bleak circumstances. Parliament must do something now.
A system of shame
THERE is something inherently wrong with a system that can defraud victims of millions of rands year after year.
This is the tragic cycle of events at the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
The fund was established "to provide cover to road users in South Africa for incidents arising from the use of motor vehicles and, in a timely and caring manner, compensate persons injured or their families in the event of fatal accidents, rehabilitate the injured, indemnify the wrongdoers, and actively promote the safe use of the roads".
But yesterday - yet again - we reported that "victims continue to suffer prejudice at the hands of unscrupulous lawyers and the RAF".
This is a continuous cry from those who have been involved in motor accidents.
This time Xolani Nkosi, of Nkosi Attorneys, has vanished after receiving nearly R1.3-million from the RAF on behalf of six accident victims. It is one of many incidents in which victims have received a pittance while lawyers have banked millions.
The last annual report of the RAF stated that it had won 300 out of 1047 cases of fraud estimated at R250-million. This report was presented to Parliament this year. A total of 251 people pleaded guilty to defrauding the RAF during this period.
It was further affirmation that, like heist kingpins who will not stop pursuing cash vans and financial institutions with a vengeance, mercenary lawyers will not stop taking aim at the RAF.
"Regrettably, fraud represents a significant risk to the RAF's assets, service delivery, efficiency and reputation," the report said. "While policies and controls to detect and prevent fraud are in place, the potential spoils from committing economic fraud against the RAF are often too tempting for fraudsters to resist."
We submit that corroboration is as gut-wrenching to the poor and disabled as their hopeless situations.
That these acts of felony are committed by law officers, people who are supposed to be upholders of the law and sympathetic to the needy, paints an even more gloomy picture. The poverty of the likes of Doris Mabuza and her son Khulekani don't even stir their emotions.
We need law officers who are true to the oath.
How the RAF calculates or accepts inflated claims by attorneys also boggles the mind. For lawyers like Nkosi to pocket R1.3-million while six victims share R250000 poses more many questions.
The time for talking is over. Victims must never be plunged into bleak circumstances. Parliament must do something now.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos