The Road Accident Fund (RAF) notes with interest the recent announcement by the Minister of Health and Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on fraudulent medical claims by legal practitioners. The Fund is willing and ready to assist the SIU and Department of Health in their investigations of fraudulent activities.
The RAF has been vocal about the issue of fraudulent claims, and its CEO, Collins Letsoalo, emphasized the severity of the problem, stating that it “robs South Africans, claimants, and their families of their livelihood.” The Fund has already compiled a database of lawyers and doctors suspected of involvement in fraudulent claims and is willing to share this information with the SIU.
The collaboration aims to build on the success of the Health Department and SIU’s efforts, which have already saved over R3 billion in fraudulent medical malpractice claims since 2015. The RAF’s internal Forensic Investigation Department has also made significant strides in combating fraud, stopping claims worth R2.6 billion between 2020 and 2023.
The RAF’s fraud strategy focuses on deterring, preventing, and intercepting corruption through partnerships and internal measures. By working together, the RAF, Health Department, and SIU hope to bring an end to the large-scale looting of state coffers by fraudulent individuals masquerading as professionals.
