The Road Accident Fund (RAF) CEO, Collins Letsoalo, has responded to an open letter by Gert Nel Incorporated, rejecting claims of a smear campaign against the law firm. Letsoalo instead accused Gert Nel of fighting transformation and protecting the interests of legal practitioners at the expense of road accident victims.
According to Letsoalo, Gert Nel Incorporated has been propagating misinformation about the RAF since the publication of the Satchwell Commission’s recommendations to move to a no-fault, equitable, and fair compensation system for all South Africans.
Letsoalo also questioned the motives of the Association for Protection of Road Accident Victims (APRAV), which was founded by Gert Nel in 2014. He claimed that APRAV has never protected any road accident victims and has instead focused on fighting the implementation of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill (RABS Bill).
The RAF CEO emphasized that the fund has been and will remain a law-abiding state entity, committed to providing social benefits to claimants without the need for intermediaries. He also highlighted the RAF’s recent engagement with the Black Lawyers Association and the Law Society of South Africa, which demonstrates the fund’s commitment to working with the legal fraternity for the benefit of claimants.
Letsoalo concluded by stating that history will ultimately reveal the truth, and that the RAF will continue to work towards a more equitable and transformed system for road accident victims.
