Seamless Sincephetelo 2024 strategy has received acclaim from former road traffic accident victim

The new Seamless Sincephetelo 2024 strategy has received acclaim from former road traffic accident victim Phiwokwakhe Mthethwa (2020/67) of Mzimnene in the Hhohho region.

Mthethwa, who was driving back home from work on the evening of 8 May 2020, was involved in a horrendous accident along the Mhlume/Madlangempisi public road after colliding with another vehicle that had impaired his vision due to extensive brightness of the other cars headlights.

After nearly waiting for almost two hours to be evacuated to a clinical facility to get his pelvic injuries treated, Mthethwa recalls that he was first taken by ambulance to the Mhlume Clinic where he was treated and then referred to the Good Shepherd hospital in Siteki for further examination.

He says he remembers being worried about not having finances readily available to be able to pay for his medical bills, and thanks one of his friends who informed him about the MVA Fund and the benefits they offer to accident victims.

Mthethwa says he called the Fund from his hospital bed to explain his plight and was amazed a few days later when the Funds investigations officers came to his bedside and assisted him fill in the documentation required by law to activate his claim.

This is part of the Funds new proactive operating model where officers are deployed to assist accident victims immediately after the occurrence of an accident unlike in the past when victims would first be required to be hospitalised before lodging a claim with the Fund.

Mthethwa attributes his speedy recuperation to being able to concentrate solely on his recovery and rehabilitation as he could rest assured knowing that his medical bills were covered.

He acknowledges that the MVA Amendment Act of 2011, which emphasises more on rehabilitation as opposed to outright compensation is here to help road traffic victims, and although not fully recovered, he has been able to heal well enough and is ready to go back to work.

“I was bedridden for a period close to three months. Apart from the Fund paying for all my medical expenses in full, they have also compensated me for the monies I did not amass having been away from employment,” he said.

Mthethwa further expresses his gratification to the case officers who were assigned to assist him with his recovery, highlighting that he did not feel alone at all throughout his recovery journey.

“I am pleased in the manner my claim was treated and I have also received my general damages. I am happy at how quickly the entire process was undergone and this is a true reflection that the Fund has started putting their claimants first,” he said.

In 2020 alone, the Fund has spent over E100 million in paying off its claimants.