Court clears RAF to appoint new CEO

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) will proceed with the implementation of Waseem Carrim’s appointment as chief executive officer after the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria struck an urgent application seeking to block his appointment from the roll.

The court found that the applicant had failed to establish sufficient grounds for urgency, indicating that any urgency was self-created. The applicant was also ordered to pay the costs of all respondents, including counsel’s fees on Scale B.

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In its response to the judgment, the RAF says it respects the judicial process but has a responsibility to maintain effective leadership and fulfill its statutory mandate.

The fund also stated that, “The position is clear: no interim order arising from this application prevents the implementation of Mr Carrim’s appointment.”

The ruling means that no interim court order arising from the application prevents Carrim from assuming the leadership position, clearing the way for the RAF to proceed with the appointment.

The appointment comes as the RAF emphasises the need to strengthen governance, improve operational performance and address service delivery challenges affecting road accident victims.

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The fund says its expectations of the incoming CEO include confronting institutional challenges, improving accountability and delivering measurable improvements in service delivery.

The RAF adds that maintaining institutional stability and effective leadership remains central to fulfilling its responsibilities to road accident victims and the South African public.

*Phenyo Selinda is a Moneyweb intern.