Judge slams RAF 'facilitators'

JOHANNESBURG - A judge has slammed as "dishonest" the "facilitators" of Road Accident Fund claims, in particular one for R390 000 for a sprained ankle.

Judge Kathleen Satchwell described facilitators in general as "predatory", The Star newspaper reported in Johannesburg.

NO 'SERIOUS INJURY'

The judge was addressing the Johannesburg High Court where a claim of R390 000 had been lodged on behalf of a pedestrian, Musejei Motswai, who sprained an ankle in a car accident in August 2008.

"There never was any 'serious injury' sustained" Satchwell said. "This was dishonest litigation."

She said there was a practice of road-accident compensation being perceived and used to  "provide a livelihood for administrators, attorneys, advocates and professional experts".

"This claim... has been for the sole benefit and enrichment of 'facilitators' of access to road accident compensation," she said.

The case was settled - with no compensation being paid.

What do you think should happen to the perpetrators of such blatant money-grabbing from a fund designed to help genuine accident victims? Tell us in the Readers' Comments section below or email email Wheels24