The Democratic Alliance (DA) has proposed a permanent reduction in South Africa’s fuel prices by eliminating the multiple rands-per-litre added to petrol and diesel costs by the Road Accident Fund. The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes South Africa’s fuel prices should be permanently reduced by removing the multiple rands-per-litre that the Road Accident Fund adds to the pump price of petrol and diesel. Chris Hunsinger MP, the DA Spokesperson on Transport, issued the proposal, stating that every vehicle in the country currently contributes to the fund with each fuel purchase. Every vehicle in South Africa pays multiple rands-per-litre to the Road Accident Fund with every filling-up of fuel at a filling station. The party believes this overhaul is necessary to alleviate financial pressure on consumers. The DA's proposal, aimed at reforming fuel pricing, was put forth on May 21, 2026.
Criticism of the Current RAF
The Democratic Alliance (DA) asserts that the Road Accident Fund (RAF) squanders the money it collects from fuel levies. The RAF squanders this money, according to the party. The party describes the RAF as a failed entity, contending it is wracked by corruption and unable to deliver settlement payments to hundreds of thousands of road accident victims. The Road Accident Fund is a failed entity, wracked by corruption, and unable to deliver settlement payments to hundreds of thousands of road accident victims, the DA claims. According to the DA, the RAF does not come close to meeting its mandate, while it costs hundreds of millions to administer and to fight court cases.
The DA also claims that deserving victims and survivors wait years for any RAF settlement, are often fought in court, and that numerous unscrupulous individuals have established entire business practices aimed at exploiting the RAF for even minor traffic incidents. Further noting concerns, the fund's former CEO faces possible criminal charges from Parliament this week. Just this week its former CEO faces possible criminal charges from Parliament.
Proposed Alternative System
The Democratic Alliance (DA) proposes replacing the Road Accident Fund (RAF) with a scaled-down safety net for road accident victims. This new system would be paired with compulsory third-party insurance for all drivers in South Africa, according to the party. The alternative to the RAF, the party states, is a scaled down safety net for road accident victims, paired with compulsory third-party insurance for all drivers. The DA contends that the time to abolish the RAF in its current form is urgent and immediate. The time to scrap the RAF in its current form is now, and it must be replaced urgently as a longer-term way to reduce the fuel price, the party emphasized. The party states that its replacement is necessary as a longer-term strategy to reduce the fuel price for consumers. Chris Hunsinger MP, the DA Spokesperson on Transport, outlined the proposal, emphasizing the need for a more efficient and sustainable approach to accident claims and fuel taxation.
Call for Legislative Action
The Democratic Alliance (DA) plans to engage Transport Minister Barbara Creecy regarding its proposals to replace the Road Accident Fund (RAF). The DA will engage Transport Minister Barbara Creecy with plans to replace the RAF, through legislative amendment. This engagement will involve advocating for the necessary legislative amendments to implement the proposed changes. The DA's initiative aims to overhaul the existing system, which it describes as flawed and inefficient, by introducing a new framework for road accident victim compensation. The party seeks to introduce a scaled-down safety net and compulsory third-party insurance, believing this transformation will lead to a permanent reduction in fuel prices for South African consumers. The proposed legislative action represents a key step in the DA's strategy to reform both the transport sector's financial mechanisms and the cost of living.
