By Nokwanda Mamba

MBEKELWENI: Zinhle Sacolo of Mbekelweni,a few kilometres outside Manzini was allegedly dumped by Sincemphetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF)after surviving a near fatal car accident leaving her with a rotting spinal-cord.

The SMVAF is a Government parastatal  that is funded through fuel levies to compensate motor vehicle accident victims.

Speaking to this Swaziland News, Sacolo said she got a car accident in 2020 and used her savings to pay for medical bills anticipating that she would be compensated by the fund. 

“I had been operated on my spinalchord when the SMVAF took me for free physiotherapy sessions which used  to cost me about E700 per day.Then two years later in January this year, I was told I had depleted my claim which was fixed at E 50,000.00, and they would be closing my file as they couldn't take me to South Africa for another operation. As I speak, my wounds are now septic and I desperately need medical attention",she said.

Reached for comments, Makhosi Magongo, the SMVAF Communications Manager said the statutory  limit for the Fund was at R 50 000.00  adding that they were currently facilitating the transfer of the case to other State facilities that could assist with medical care.

“We are alive to the challenges faced by many of our clients with statutory limits. In response, the Fund, as mandated by the Ministry of Finance and Cabinet, have been  involved in the process of amending the SMVA Act so that the limits are increased", said the Communications Manager.

Sibongile Mazibuko, the President of the Ngwane National Liberatory Congress (NNLC) blamed the plight of accident victims to royal looting. 

"You will remember how the SMVAF sponsored soccer using the King’s name so that it could be believed that the Fund belonged to him. That's how it ended up being looted by royalty since these entities always compete about the monies they pay to the King.In a democracy, every accident victim will benefit from the Fund as long as motorists are paying millions as fuel levies,”said the NNLC President.