Road Accident Fund to help KZN bereaved families

Friday, January 30, 2015

Pretoria - The Road Accident Fund (RAF) will provide burial support to the bereaved families of the seven learners from Fezokuhle Primary School who died in a horrific crash in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg, on Wednesday.

The announcement was made by RAF CEO Dr Eugene Watson on Thursday.

“RAF would intervene by providing the usual burial support to the bereaved families. Our Durban representatives met with the MECs of Transport, Education, Finance and uMsunduzi Mayor to outline the support that we would be providing.

“On behalf of the fund and fellow South Africans, we send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of those that died in the crash and those learners recuperating in hospital. We wish them a speedy recovery and prompt return to school.”

The funeral assistance offered by the RAF comprises a coffin (or cremation), grave fees, hiring of equipment to lower the coffin into the grave, digging of the grave, hearse, storage and transportation of the body.

However, tombstones, food (catering), flowers, programmes and telephone expenses are not included in the burial support.

Watson further encouraged parents to submit claims for general damages (bodily injuries) on behalf of eligible minors directly to any of RAF’s service centres in KwaZulu-Natal.

Police are still investigating the circumstances of the crash, which occurred when a when a bakkie transporting more than 20 children smashed into a house.

A follow-up meeting with family members will be held today to finalise the arrangements for the memorial service and the funeral dates.

Family members were also present and a follow-up meeting will be held today to finalise arrangements for the memorial service and funeral dates.

The RAF has a campaign ‘Meet the #FutureYou’, which reminds South Africa’s youth and other road users that reaching for their dreams starts by recognising and respecting the rules of the road – otherwise they will never see the #FutureYou.

RAF Chief Marketing Officer Dr Phumelela Dhlomo said: “We have noted with great concern the unfortunate loss of young lives and sadly these learners did not live to see their future.

“Road safety and in particular scholar transport is a joint responsibility of society and law enforcement agencies.  

“The community, parents and educators alike should take responsibility by reporting service providers who transport children in unroadworthy vehicles.”

Dhlomo said RAF will continue its road safety scholar programme in order to empower learners and educators to avoid a repeat of similar unnecessary crashes. - SAnews.gov.za