Ambulance association to take legal action if RAF miss payment deadline

FOLLOWING strike action in Durban Central, last week, the KwaZulu-Natal Private Ambulances Association (KZNPAA) has given the Road Accident Fund (RAF) a deadline to make a commitment in writing to the convening of a meeting on or before 16 November.

KZNPAA is fighting a legal battle to receive payment they are owed from the RAF for services rendered during February and March amounting to  R5 million.

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Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for KZNPAA announced on Wednesday (11 November) that the ultimatum had been presented after consultation with the association’s legal advisers.

“The RAF was presented with a memorandum on 30 October which was handed over by the chairperson Mr Andile Nduli. This was handed over after a peaceful procession to Mr Singh of the Road Accident Fund at their offices,” said Jamieson.

Jamieson said their memorandum stated that the members demand payment from all outstanding claims within seven days from 30 October and that the RAF would comment and release a statement to the association.

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“Neither of the above have been done. The association met over the weekend and discussed this matter at length,” he said.

At the meeting, the KZNPAA said the RAF will need to meet KZNPPA’s association heads within 14 days from 9 November, which is the day the association’s latest statement is dated.

Jamieson said an email was sent to the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula after the RAF failed to respond to the demands in their original memorandum. He added that they also requested for an explanation on why it takes up to 120 days pre-Covid to pay out claims instead of the mandated 30 days.

“Failure to adhere to the following our legal representatives will have no other options to approach the courts for assistance and other avenues to assist our members to receive payment,” warned Jamieson.

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