20/10/2025
RAF Confirms Illegal Foreigners Will Be Paid Millions in Compensation After Limpopo Bus Crash That Killed 43 Zimbabweans and Malawians
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has reaffirmed its legal obligation to compensate foreign nationals, including undocumented immigrants, following the Limpopo bus crash that killed 43 people, mostly Zimbabweans. This follows a 2022 High Court ruling that prohibited discrimination based on immigration status in RAF compensation cases.
RAF spokesperson McIntosh Polela confirmed the fund’s position in an interview on SABC News, amid growing public outrage after the October 12, 2025, tragedy. The bus, which had been traveling from Gqeberha to Zimbabwe and Malawi, reignited debate over the fairness of payouts to foreigners while South Africans wait years for claims to be processed.
Polela expressed frustration, saying the RAF’s hands are tied despite the Immigration Act’s restrictions on dealings with illegal foreigners. He said the fund must comply with the 2022 judgment, which ensures equal access to compensation for all individuals injured within South Africa’s borders.
In the 2024/25 financial year, the RAF paid R546 million to foreign claimants. The figure has fueled public anger, with critics saying the system disadvantages citizens. The ongoing debate reflects the growing tension between South Africa’s constitutional obligations and public sentiment toward undocumented migrants.
