BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF), commonly known as the MVA, wants to deal with claims from the public within a space of 12 months.
Currently, the parastatal has taken a decision to resolve cases within 18 months. This is supposed to happen in the short, until the company is financially ready to settle accident claims within a period of 12 months.
This is contained in the company’s Integrated Report for the year 2023. MVA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Myeni said the management of cases continued to be a critical strategic imperative, as the company’s methodology required not only intense hands-on application and efficiency from the outset, but also the accelerated expenditure of funds.
“This new-model approach significantly improves customer experience and operational efficiency, as our aim is to resolve cases within 12 months,” Myeni said. The trade-off, however, is felt in our strategic focus area of financial sustainability, as a result of pressure on our cash reserves.
“With regard to this, we have seen during the year that it has been strategically necessary to adjust this target from 12 to 18 months,” said the CEO. Related to these issues, according to Myeni, is the improved performance of the company’s accident reporting desk.
“We have also extended our service with the addition of eight ambulance units, which enable a quicker and more effective response, although at a consequently higher cost. In tandem with this has been the maturing of our relationship with the hospitals, facilitating a better and more immediate flow of information, and a more seamless experience for our clients,” he said.
Meanwhile, MVA Board Chairperson Zithulele Gina also mentioned in the report that although there were challenges, the company was improving in the way it dealt with accident claims. He noted that the company had been grappling with a backlog of accident claims, making it difficult for clients to be served in an efficient way.
“Significant progress was made before we had to slow the process because of the risk implicit in reducing our reserves. Thus, with much focus on this matter, it is pleasing to note that we reached a point where at least 84 percent of the outstanding claims had been dealt with during the year,” Gina said.
