The Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims (APRAV) said that any attempt to revive the Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) at this point flies in the face of democratic process, public sentiment, and constitutional duty. This was said at a media briefing that was hosted by APRAV in Pretoria on 23 July 2025. APRAV Deputy Chairperson and national spokesperson Ngoako Mohlaloga said that the continued reference to RABS in official discourse is deeply concerning. He pointed out that it suggests either wilful ignorance or strategic misrepresentation. He added that Parliament has rejected RABS three times, reflecting ‘the people have spoken’.
APRAV Chairperson Pieter de Bruyn emphasised that RABS not only failed to pass legislative scrutiny, but was also condemned by key industry stakeholders, disability rights groups, civil society organisations, and the victims RABS claimed to serve. Mr de Bruyn pointed out that: ‘The RABS Bill would have stripped victims of their constitutional right to legal resources. It was unworkable, unaffordable, and unacceptable. And yet, despite its multiple defeats in the National Assembly, it keeps being reintroduced by stealth. That is not democratic governance – it’s agenda driven policymaking.’
Mr de Bruyn added at the time RABS was tabled, APRAV led a two-year national consultation process with legal experts, actuaries, medical professionals, civil society organisations, disability advocates, and policy researchers. He pointed out that the process resulted in a fully workable, evidence-based reform plan ‒ one that offers a clear, phased pathway for turning around the RAF system without violating constitutional protections or placing unsustainable pressure on the fiscus. APRAF further warned against any attempt to repackage RABS under another name or pass off minor revisions as new policy.
APRAV called on the government to ‒
- officially confirm that RABS has been withdrawn for good;
- commit to transparent, inclusive consultation processes going forward; and
- re-engage with APRAV’s reform plan as a foundation for sustainable change.
Kgomotso Ramotsho Cert Journ (Boston) Cert Photography (Vega) is the news reporter at De Rebus.
