Having been appointed as a Beta tester for the software’s initial release, Millennium Solutions quickly established itself as a national player. Only months after starting to trade, Stan was to testify in court for the first time, as an expert witness, in high court. He achieved acceptance of his testimony by having an international expert from Visual Systems endorse his findings and reconstructive processes.
It was in his first high-court case that Stan realized that there was a very urgent shortage of an independent, un-biased at-scene accident investigation entity. Someone had to go to all accidents, recording all evidence, as if it were a very serious criminal case – no matter how small. This service needed to be available to the masses at a competitive price, without compromising on quality or quantity. Stan started developing a complete business plan for the deployment of a 24-Hour At-scene Forensic Accident Management, Investigation and Reconstruction entity. He changed the name of Millennium Solutions to the Independent Bureau of Forensic Investigation (IBFI). This was the genesis of IBF Investigations.
Within months, we received endorsement from National Government and secured a contract with the Road Accident Fund of South Africa (RAF). After introducing our concept to the relevant role-players, “Project LUFT” was launched by the RAF. On a pilot basis, we were to attend and investigate every single accident in the Port Elizabeth area, in order to produce a report for the RAF. The reports were to be applied for confirmation of accident claim data or for the repudiation of false RAF claims. The results were astounding, but the pilot project ended on 31 March 2003.
Next, IBFI was the first and only independent forensic investigation entity in South Africa to receive government authority to act as a RESCUE unit (use of red lights and sirens). By this time, the validity and necessity of complete and proper independent investigation of accidents was realized, and IBFI accepted as the national leaders in the field. By this time, IBFI had investigated nearly 1,500 accidents for the RAF, issued over 475 reports to the SAPS for inclusion in criminal cases, treated over 1,000 patients and contributed to more than 500 drunken-driver arrests.
Almost immediately, IBFI established a relationship with local law enforcement – specifically with Stellenbosch Traffic Department, where the head of the Accident Unit, Supt. Johan Joubert was instrumental in the establishment of this relationship.
At this time, IBFI was also invited to form part of the Inter-departmental Committee for Accident Victims, with a focus on the future of the RAF. As a specialist entity in accident investigation having established the independent at-scene investigation model in South Africa (under Project LUFT), the value of IBFI’s contribution did not go unnoticed.
In December 2004, IBFI presented a proposal to National Government for the proper Investigation and Reconstruction of serious and fatal accidents, while establishing a training ground for law enforcement officers.
This was then the genesis of “Project A.C.C.I.D.E.N.T.” Under this project, IBFI would attend to, investigate and reconstruct all serious and fatal accidents in the Western Cape, for the National Department of Transport, for free! This was achieved by securing sponsorship for the project.
Most notably, General Motors South Africa sponsored two Opel Astra’s to the project, while Rand Water made very generous cash contributions. The support and endorsement received from government and the private sector was so overwhelming that it was decided in January 2005 that the project would continue for the remainder of the year.
Under this project, IBFI has now been appointed to investigate and reconstruct all serious and fatal accidents in the Western Cape, while also taking police and traffic officers along on their vehicles to receive operation training on the proper and complete investigation of accidents.
These investigative and training functions encompass the acronym for Project A.C.C.I.D.E.N.T. perfectly: Advanced Critical Crash Investigation through the Designation of- and Education by Non-government Technology partners. Regrettably, the project was again abandoned in May 2005, when political pressure by certain individuals caused the National Department of Transport to withdraw their support for the efforts of Project A.C.C.I.D.E.N.T.