Are you a graduate who is currently unemployed and looking for real‑world experience? The Road Accident Fund is opening its doors for an 18‑month Internship Programme 2026, and the deadline is fast approaching on 14 July 2026.
What the internship programme is
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is offering six paid internships across four South African cities – Polokwane, Mafikeng, Nelspruit and Pretoria. The roles sit in two divisions:
- Customer Experience Centre – 4 posts (Mafikeng 1, Polokwane 1, Nelspruit 2)
- Claims Investigator – 2 posts (Pretoria 2)
All interns will receive a salary of R96 000 per annum plus a monthly stipend. The programme runs for 18 months and is part of RAF’s commitment to youth skills development.
Who can apply
To be eligible you must meet all of the following:
- South African citizen, aged 18 – 25
- Unemployed and have never worked or interned in the same field
- Matric certificate (certified copy)
- Bachelor’s degree or NQF Level 7 diploma (certified copy of transcript)
- Valid South African ID (certified copy)
- For the Claims Investigator role – a driver’s licence and a qualification in policing, forensic studies, criminal justice or law
- Short CV (max 3 pages) and a motivational letter (max 3 pages)
What you will learn
Both streams give you hands‑on exposure to RAF’s core activities.
Customer Experience Centre
- Handling claimant queries and providing information
- Assisting with the signing of settlement offers
- Registering and verifying new claims
- Assessing accident details to determine RAF liability
- General office administration and data capture
Claims Investigator
- Tracing drivers and witnesses, obtaining statements
- Drafting accident scene sketches and conducting on‑site inspections
- Gathering and recording evidence, preparing investigation reports
- Identifying possible fraud or corruption
- Basic exposure to Loss of Support analysis
In addition, you will develop written and verbal communication, attention to detail, computer literacy and the ability to prioritise tasks.
How to apply
- Gather all required documents: certified copies of Matric, ID, academic transcript, qualification, driver’s licence (if applying for Claims Investigator), updated CV and motivational letter.
- Visit the official RAF careers portal for each internship.
- For the Customer Experience Centre, click Road Accident Fund Customer Experience Centre Internship 2026 and complete the online form.
- For the Claims Investigator role, click Road Accident Fund Claims Investigator Internship 2026 and fill out the application.
- In the email subject line (or portal reference field), include the province and the reference number (6644 for Customer Experience, 6668 for Claims Investigator).
- Upload your CV and motivational letter (combined no more than 3 pages).
- Submit the application before 14 July 2026.
Tips to improve your chances
- Double‑check that every document is certified and legible.
- Tailor your motivational letter to the specific internship – show how your studies relate to the duties listed.
- Proofread for spelling and grammar; clear communication is a key competency.
- Use keywords from the internship description (e.g., “claims administration”, “investigation reporting”).
- Do not apply for more than three positions and make sure you complete a separate application for each reference number.
- Be honest about any previous experience; undisclosed internships will lead to disqualification.
Final thoughts
The RAF Internship Programme 2026 is a solid stepping stone for graduates who want to start a career in public service, claims handling or investigations. With a decent salary, a structured 18‑month learning period and exposure to real cases, the programme can boost your résumé and confidence.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, gather your documents and apply online before 14 July 2026. This could be the first professional chapter of your career – take the next step today.
