09 October 2002
As today is the funeral of the 29 people who died at the bus accident which occurred at the Nico Malan Pass (just outside Fort Beaufort in the Eastern Cape) on 28 September, the South African Communist Party (SACP) sends its condolences to the families of the deceased. The SACP shares their grief and shock to lose loved ones. The SACP is outraged at the highly unacceptable numbers of road accidents and deaths in our country. The SACP is painfully aware that nothing can replace a lost life not even monetary compensation.
The Nico Malan accident reminds us of the reality that thousands of our people die or are maimed in thousands of avoidable road accidents in our country leaving families without bread-winners. This reality needs to be taken into account in our social security system. The priority is for government to consolidate its focus, strategy and programme on the reduction of road accidents. This must, amongst other things, include improved road maintenance, increased road safety, increased public awareness, a concerted effort to decisively deal with unlicensed drivers, unlicensed vehicles and corruption in the transport system.
The SACP is also extremely concerned that soon after the funeral, the pain of many of the families will probably deepen as they seek to claim funds from the Road Accident Fund (RAF). This claims process, like many other issues, will underline the imperative of a major overhaul of the RAF and the antiquated legislation that governs it. The RAF, which is technically bankrupt, derives its resources from the fuel levy. As South Africans we pay directly whenever we go to the petrol pump, and we all pay indirectly insofar as the fuel price is factored into the price of food and other daily commodities. There are no differential rates for the poor when it comes to paying for petrol or food.
However, there are many very serious shortcomings in the Fund. Lump sum awards are made after lengthy legal processes. As a result almost half of the Fund’s money ends up in the hands of lawyers and health-professionals. Awards are class-biased. “Loss of earnings” calculations are based on one’s class position in society. There is a limit (R20 000) on the awards made to victims who are travelling in public transport, like mini-buses. While those injured while travelling in cars are often awarded millions. It is clearly outrageous that awards from the Fund, a national public resource, are based on such inequitable grounds, especially when millions of disabled South African have to survive on a pittance.
The SACP calls for the complete restructuring of the Fund. It must move away from being a zama-zama court based lottery that enriches professionals and encourages fraud, and become part and parcel of a comprehensive social security system serving, above all, those who are left most destitute by road accidents. At present it is another national lottery, in which class and colonial origin are always the winning numbers. Awards must be based on severity of injury and need, and grants must be given on a monthly (and not once-off lump sum) basis.
The SACP will engage with government, parliament, the South African Commuters Organisation, the Disabled People of South Africa and other relevant formations to take forward the struggle for the transformation of the RAF.
CONTACT
Mazibuko Kanyiso. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information & Publicity
South African Communist Party
Tel – 011 339-3621/2 Fax - 011 339-4244 Cell - 083 651 0271
Email - mazibuko@sacp.org.za