Road Accident Fund (RAF) Internships 2026: Law and Human Resources Opportunities

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is offering exciting internship opportunities for unemployed South African graduates in 2026. These 18-month programmes are designed to provide valuable work experience in fields like Litigation and Mediation, Adjudication Backlog, and People Management. If you are a graduate looking to kickstart your career and gain practical skills, this is an opportunity to consider.

Application Closing Date: 12 August 2026 (Litigation and Mediation); 19 May 2026 (Adjudication Backlog – closed); Not specified (People Management)
Location: Pretoria, Polokwane, Thohoyandou, and East London, South Africa
Programme Duration: 18 months
Stipend: R96,000 (Advertised salary, monthly payment to be confirmed)
Minimum Qualification: Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts in Law, Bachelor of Commerce in Law, Advanced Diploma in Law, or relevant HR qualification.

About the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Internships 2026

The RAF internship programme aims to equip unemployed graduates with essential workplace experience. These opportunities are specifically for individuals who have not previously worked or completed an internship in the relevant fields. The programme spans 18 months, offering a structured learning environment within legal services, claims administration, and people management.

The RAF is a state-funded entity that provides compensation to victims of road accidents in South Africa. It plays a critical role in supporting individuals who have suffered injuries or losses due to vehicle accidents.

Available Internship Opportunities

The RAF has advertised several internship positions for 2026. Applicants should note the specific reference numbers and locations for each opportunity.

• Litigation and Mediation (3 posts)
• Adjudication Backlog (2 posts)
• People Management (1 post)

RAF Litigation and Mediation Internships 2026

Three internship positions are available for Law graduates in Litigation and Mediation. These roles are based in Pretoria, Polokwane, and Thohoyandou. The programme duration is 18 months, with an advertised salary of R96,000. The closing date for applications is 12 August 2026.

Litigation and Mediation Qualification Requirements

To apply for these positions, candidates must possess one of the following qualifications:

• Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Arts in Law
• Bachelor of Commerce in Law

Additionally, applicants must submit a certified Grade 12 certificate, a certified identity document, and a complete academic transcript. Applications without an academic transcript will not be considered.

Litigation and Mediation Duties

Successful interns will gain exposure to various legal administration tasks. These may include drafting correspondence and pleadings, preparing affidavits, and applying court rules. Interns will also have the opportunity to observe State Attorneys and assist with litigation processes, including filing legal notices and serving documents.

The role also involves supporting dispute-resolution processes, monitoring judgments, and maintaining litigation records. Interns will learn to upload documents to the Litigation Management System and maintain CaseLines profiles where applicable.

Taxation and Legal-Cost Support

Interns may also assist with taxation proceedings, preparing for appearances before the Taxing Master, and filing taxation outcomes. This involves updating electronic litigation records and ensuring accurate record-keeping. Applicants should demonstrate strong attention to detail and an interest in legal practice.

Professional Development

The RAF offers continuous professional development programmes for its interns. These may include LEAD training, LexisNexis learning programmes, and internal legal workshops. Litigation-management training and court-process development activities will also be provided, as determined by the Road Accident Fund.

RAF Adjudication Backlog Internships 2026

Two internship positions were advertised for the Adjudication Backlog in East London. These roles were for 18 months with an advertised salary of R96,000. However, the closing date for this opportunity was 19 May 2026, meaning this application period has passed.

Adjudication Backlog Qualification Requirements

Applicants for this role were required to hold an Advanced Diploma in Law or a bachelor’s degree in Law. They also needed to submit a certified Grade 12 certificate, a certified identity document, a certified academic transcript, a CV, and a motivational letter.

Adjudication Backlog Duties

Workplace exposure for these interns could include adjudicating supplier claims, processing unrepresented and represented claims, and handling death-benefit claims. Interns would also engage directly with claimants and their families, communicate with service providers, and perform general office administration.

Adjudication Backlog Application Status

Applications for the Adjudication Backlog internships closed on 19 May 2026. Interested candidates should not submit applications for this listing unless the RAF officially reopens or republishes the vacancy.

RAF People Management Internship 2026

One People Management Internship position is available in East London, with an 18-month duration and an advertised salary of R96,000. This role is specifically targeted for employment equity. The closing date for this position was not specified in the advertisement.

People Management Qualification Requirements

Applicants must possess a relevant NQF-level degree, Advanced Diploma, or a degree in Human Resources or an equivalent qualification. They must also submit a certified Grade 12 certificate, a certified identity document, a certified academic transcript, a CV, and a motivational letter.

People Management Duties

Successful interns may gain exposure to recruitment processes, including advertising, screening applications, and shortlisting candidates. They will also assist with placement administration, respond to Human Capital queries, and support employee relations administration. Other duties include disciplinary process support, meeting coordination, and Human Capital policy interpretation.

The role also involves grievance administration, leave management, and payroll-input administration. Interns will assist with reporting on Human Resources matters and performance management administration. Filing CVs and personnel documents, preparing meeting agendas, and taking minutes at HR meetings are also part of the duties.

General Eligibility Requirements

For all advertised RAF internships, applicants must generally meet the following criteria:

• Be between 18 and 25 years old.
• Be unemployed.
• Not have previously worked or completed an internship in the relevant field.
• Hold the required qualification for the specific internship.
• Submit a complete academic transcript.
• Be available for the full 18-month programme.

The RAF reserves the right to verify applicant information, including previous work history in South Africa.

Required Skills and Competencies

Successful applicants should demonstrate a range of skills and competencies, including:

• Good written and verbal communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn and self-motivation.
• Basic computer literacy.
• Ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
• Professional conduct and the ability to follow instructions.
• Accurate record-keeping.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must prepare the following documents:

• A certified copy of the Grade 12 or Matric certificate.
• Certified copies of relevant qualifications.
• A certified copy of the identity document.
• A certified complete academic transcript.
• A short Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A motivational letter.

The CV and motivational letter should not exceed three pages in total. Applications without academic transcripts will not be considered.

Maximum Number of Applications

Applicants may apply for a maximum of three internship positions. A separate application must be completed for each reference number. It is important to apply only for positions that match your qualifications and eligibility.

Internship Duration and Remuneration

The internships are for a duration of 18 months. The advertised salary is R96,000, and interns will receive a monthly stipend. Applicants should confirm the exact monthly payment structure if they are shortlisted, as the provided information does not specify if R96,000 is an annual or total programme amount.

Only the First 100 Applications Will Be Considered

The RAF has stated that only the first 100 applications will be considered for each advertised internship. Therefore, applicants are strongly advised to submit their complete applications as early as possible.

Applications Not Accepted

Hand-delivered applications will not be accepted. All applications must be submitted through the official RAF e-recruitment system. Applicants should avoid sending documents to unofficial email addresses or individuals who claim to guarantee placement.

Security Vetting and Verification

Prospective interns will undergo security vetting. The RAF may verify identity information, academic qualifications, academic records, previous employment, and previous internship participation. Applicants who fail to disclose previous internship experience may be disqualified if this information is discovered later.

Foreign Qualifications

Applicants with qualifications obtained outside South Africa must have them evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Proof of SAQA evaluation must be provided with the application.

Employment Equity

The Road Accident Fund adheres to employment equity principles. Preference will be given to persons with disabilities. The People Management position is specifically designated as an employment equity targeted role.

Application Outcome

Applicants who do not receive correspondence within six weeks after the relevant closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful. Only candidates who progress through the recruitment process may receive further communication from the RAF.

Important Application Checklist

Before submitting your application, please confirm the following:

• You are between 18 and 25 years old.
• You are unemployed.
• You have not previously served as an intern or worked in the relevant field.
• Your qualification matches the selected internship.
• Your Grade 12 certificate, qualifications, identity document, and full academic transcript are certified.
• Your CV and motivational letter meet the specified page limit.
• You have indicated the correct province and reference number.
• You are submitting a separate application for each position you are applying for.
• You are applying for no more than three positions in total.
• You are using the official RAF e-recruitment platform for your application.
• You are submitting your application before the applicable deadline.

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