Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I was quite surprised to see some action, at last, on some of the underhand behaviour by Road Accident Fund officials. I have been aware for many years, and have raised this before, of firms of attorneys who have their “own claims handler” and who could get offers in a remarkably short time. In fact, a few years ago we took over a case from a firm in Johannesburg - that has grown considerably since - where they managed to lodge a claim and get a settlement offer within 30 days. The attorney at the firm asked me not to terminate his mandate, assuring me that R30,000 was sufficient compensation for the injury at hand and that he had done a good job to get it in 30 days. I wonder how one was getting an offer within 30 days in those days and I can only imagine there was something underhand going on. In any event, we took the matter to court and the client got a little over R120,000 or 4 times the amount that the attorney personally phoned me up to tell me was a great offer for her!
In this case a Road Accident Fund official asked for a R500,000 bribe so that a R2,7 million RAF claim was fast-tracked and authorised and she asked for R50,000 of that in cash and R450,000 to be put into her account. A corruption investigation team arrested her immediately after she received the R50,000 in cash. I honestly believe that the lady who was arrested is only the tip of the iceberg and there are many others like that in the Road Accident Fund. In fact, it is very seldom these days that you even receive a settlement offer from anybody at the Road Accident Fund – or certainly our firm does not and almost every single case has to be litigated.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Friday 21-Feb-20
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Comments
Kendall said:
on Thursday 19-Mar-20 08:16 AM
There is so much corruption going on in this country, it does not even surprise me to read stories like this anymore!
Cornelie said:
on Tuesday 10-Mar-20 11:04 AM
Really don’t know when corruption will end. Why does every thing need to be bribed to get somewhere in life just do things the honest way and it would get done quicker I would think.
Bronwyn said:
on Tuesday 10-Mar-20 08:45 AM
Finally someone has been caught ,one out of thousands that are taking bribes from innocent people,corruption in our country has become such a norm,as it starts at the top with the leaders of the country.
Kayla said:
on Monday 09-Mar-20 04:56 PM
It seems to be a trend in the government that if you want something done and in a short amount of time you need to pay bribes for this to happen. It is quite a disgrace that you know this is your job and you still want a bribe to actually do your work you initially were employed to do.
Joyce said:
on Friday 06-Mar-20 04:48 PM
In most of the government institutions people have to pay (bribe money) for services they supposed to get free. I used to hear that Drs and Attorneys were stroke off the role due to corruption they did in Road Accident Fund cases it is shocking that there is still corruption related to the Road Accident Fund cases.
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Friday 06-Mar-20 07:47 AM
When is all the corruption going to end? In needs to stop. I'm glad that she got caught! I agree with Sandra in that they need to do thorough investigations and get rid of all the rotten apples.
Ziyanda said:
on Thursday 05-Mar-20 10:06 AM
I hope that it will not end with her, they need to investigate everyone who works at the Road Accident Fund. Because I am certain that she was not the only one getting bribes. Corruption tearing down our public institutions which are meant to build our country. I wish there was more action being taken to ensure those who are guilty end up in prison and/or pay back the money they have taken.
Victoria said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 11:23 AM
Corruption is everywhere now a days and I'm sure there are plenty more people doing the same thing that she did. I just hope everyone who is apart of this corruption will be punished.
Henrietta said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 08:47 AM
I'm glad she got arrested and hope that many who follows her footsteps put an end to it. This is just selfishness and again just goes to show how corrupt the governments are.
Thabitha said:
on Tuesday 03-Mar-20 07:18 AM
laziness and corruption they must be investigated and spend their lives in jail because they are not just robbing RAF but also claimants, if people wants to learn in hard way let it be.
Melandre' said:
on Monday 02-Mar-20 02:58 PM
It is sad knowing corruption runs deep within the roots of state owned enterprises. If only we had better and more effective management, most of it wouldn't go un-noticed, even then we would need people who haven't dipped their hands into the pockets of greed to honestly bring forth a considerable change within the system. However a win is a win, hopefully this one case carries investigation into other "fishy" matters.
Karien said:
on Monday 02-Mar-20 01:28 PM
No surprise, corruption is in the order of the day. Every State Owned Enterprise has the same problem, and the only way to fix this is to create a culture where persons in positions of authority take the steps to pro actively combat corruption. As you say, this is only the tip of the iceberg and corruption within the RAF and many other SOE's runs deep.
Nicolle said:
on Monday 02-Mar-20 12:11 PM
The rot runs deep. It is annoying and frustrating. No wonder we can almost never reach a real-life claims handler, they must have had their hands full, full of money...
Tersia said:
on Monday 02-Mar-20 11:12 AM
Will it really be the tip of the iceberg? Or will it be a once-off thing that just happened to ease people's mind that the RAF is not bribed and they will not stand for behavior like this, but in the meantime all of them are laughing to the bank. I am a bit skeptical, and who can blame me for everything that goes on in this country - if more stories like this are published and more people are actually being punished for corruption then I will definitely change my opinion and I believe also more people will start to have some hope.
Sinead said:
on Monday 02-Mar-20 09:16 AM
This is shocking! But who can really be surprised anymore? Although it's not only South Africa that has such corruption, I'm sure...
When will the corruption in our country end though? How do we stop it?
Melissa said:
on Monday 02-Mar-20 08:59 AM
Corruption will never stop and this is something that we must get used to. Lets hope that this nonsense will stop
Lourien said:
on Monday 02-Mar-20 08:35 AM
This is not something new, all the government companies that we are dealing with are corrupt. If they are able to get something out of the deal then the deal is rewarding to them and this means that they will actually do their job what they are paid for in any event but they always want something more than just their salary. Its not about being just these days. Its all about each individual looking after themselves and trying to cheat and steel as much as possible.
We need drastic changes in this country and these people should be handed over to the police instead of being handed lump sums of cash, we do not need such people in our society. The less corruption we have the easier it will be for our country to move forward.
Helen said:
on Friday 28-Feb-20 08:07 PM
Corruption income easy income, and once more time government staff member tried her luck. And I am so happy investigation team arrested her.
Shristi said:
on Thursday 27-Feb-20 09:39 AM
I cannot say that I did not expect this happen. I am however glad that something is being done to this official and hopefully is brought to the book soon! Hopefully this is a lesson to other corrupt officials!
Prishani said:
on Thursday 27-Feb-20 07:55 AM
I am so glad something is being done about this! I hope it gets the necessary publicity it deserves, it should serve as an example to others involved in the same type of activities!
Alexis said:
on Thursday 27-Feb-20 07:43 AM
I cannot say that I am not surprised to be honest. Unfortunately corruption if rife and is everywhere. I do hope that they get to the bottom of it and are able to stop it successfully.
Zindy said:
on Thursday 27-Feb-20 07:25 AM
Most government entities are always accused of corruption and bribery and always deny these allegations. There seems always be one or two stingy people that get greedy and take advantage of their positions. They should be grateful for their jobs and the harder they work it will pay off and they may be able to make just as much by putting the extra effort to deserve what they are 'stealing'
fikile said:
on Wednesday 26-Feb-20 05:03 PM
It shows that corruption is just everywhere and it is so bad, it's more painful when they catch you because the agreement between me and you is " whoever gets arrested, they are on their own, never take out other people, don't give out our names, you are on your own". I always watch a show called " Taking out the files" they don't only expose the traffic department but all the companies that are large and they catch these people, the other day they arrested a lady that was selling a licence disc to a guy that stole a car and she was arrested right outside the traffic department and that is always bad because she couldn't say who printed out the documents.
fikile said:
on Wednesday 26-Feb-20 05:02 PM
It shows that corruption is just everywhere and it is so bad, it's more painful when they catch you because the agreement between me and you is " whoever gets arrested, they are on their own, never take out other people, don't give out our names, you are on your own". I always watch a show called " Taking out the files" they don't only expose the traffic department but all the companies that are large and they catch these people, the other day they arrested a lady that was selling a licence disc and to a guy that stole a car and she was arrested right outside the traffic department and that is always bad because she could say who printed out the documents.
Daniella said:
on Wednesday 26-Feb-20 08:56 AM
Corruption in South Africa is running far too deep in the veins of our institutions that its actually quite scary. Once corruption has been eliminated from SA I am 1000% sure things will start looking up for our country. Its just the question of how?
Bianca Taljaard said:
on Wednesday 26-Feb-20 08:46 AM
Surprized that it took so long. Corruption is just everywhere, we will never escape that. It is so sad.
Ashleigh said:
on Wednesday 26-Feb-20 08:46 AM
I cant understand how people can put their whole lives in jeopardy for money. I would simply just do without then to say goodbye to my whole life. Corruption is so rife and it is so sickening that they are just riding the train without worrying.
Chante said:
on Wednesday 26-Feb-20 08:41 AM
Corruption truly is everywhere, it is shocking to hear that this happened within the RAF though. I do not understand how people can do things like this and expect such payments from their clients.
Megan said:
on Wednesday 26-Feb-20 08:36 AM
Well it is known that she wasn't the only one to do this, I'm not surprised either about the corruption. The fact that there was another guy who did this, was put in jail and the released on bail... It was probably from the same money taken.
thembi said:
on Tuesday 25-Feb-20 03:52 PM
Corruption is bad in this country. It is shocking for me to see that this is even happening with the RAF. It leaves a person thinking about all the corruption in this country
sandra said:
on Tuesday 25-Feb-20 03:51 PM
There is corruption absolutely everywhere you turn. Bribes only get you so far, until you are caught and stand to loose everything. If everything was done according to the book / law, we would be in a much better position
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Tuesday 25-Feb-20 03:49 PM
Not surprised , all Government institutions has corruption and people doing dodgy dealings to make themselves richer and then on top of that you get some attorneys that take advantage of this to get early trial dates or quick settlements.
Sarah said:
on Tuesday 25-Feb-20 01:10 PM
It does not surprise me at all with all this corruption going on in the government. What does surprise is we only hear about it now in the RAF. They should investigate more into this, because she is probably working with more people
Shanelle said:
on Tuesday 25-Feb-20 12:00 PM
I am amazed at what people think they can get away with and how they can expect such payments from their clients. Thankfully a proper investigation was done and hopefully this hinders such behaviour.
Nikita said:
on Tuesday 25-Feb-20 11:54 AM
I completely agree. I definitely think this one lady is just the tip of the iceberg. I also sometimes wonder how they sleep at night knowing that these injured clients truly need the financial aid that comes from a successful claim to carry on with their lives. The other side of it is how are some firms getting trial dates so quickly? I remember certain firms also being investigated for paying for earlier trial dates.
Zandelee said:
on Tuesday 25-Feb-20 11:53 AM
Its actually shocking that so many firms still get away with such dishonest behavior and is in fact so unfair to firms that actually do things the ethical way
Angelique said:
on Tuesday 25-Feb-20 11:52 AM
I am actually quite shocked that this happened. I can see why but I cannot believe one would have to pay an official to get your money faster - minus a big cut. Us humans, fueled with greed! I saw last week this arrest by the Hawks, Shocking!
Brumilde Cronje said:
on Tuesday 25-Feb-20 07:57 AM
Finally, i wish there would be a proper investigation, touting and these types of dealings is what breaks the system. And causes the tax payers more at the end of the day.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
