SUN CITY, North West — Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has issued a stern ultimatum to the South African Football Association (SAFA), demanding the refund of R13 million previously allocated by his department for the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Speaking at the 19th annual SA Sports Awards, McKenzie warned that drastic measures will follow if the association fails to comply within a 21-day grace period.
The Minister expressed deep frustration over the lack of progress regarding the VAR rollout, despite his department having exhausted all necessary administrative channels. McKenzie emphasized that he personally championed the initiative, secured the required National Treasury approvals, and funded official fact-finding missions to evaluate the best technological options for South African football.
“I have done everything humanly possible,” McKenzie stated, addressing the crowd. He revealed that SAFA’s top brass has formally requested a 21-day grace period to resolve the matter. However, the Minister made it clear that if this deadline expires without the return of the funds or tangible progress on VAR, he will bypass SAFA entirely and petition FIFA directly to facilitate the technology’s introduction to the PSL.
A central theme of McKenzie’s address was the alleged internal sabotage within the football governing body. He pointed out that corrupt “gatekeepers” within SAFA are actively blocking the VAR implementation. According to the Minister, these individuals deliberately exploit the public’s tendency to blame all of SAFA’s shortcomings on its leadership, including CEO Danny Jordaan, to shield their own malfeasance.
“People shouldn’t look at me. I’m the minister that put it on the table that VAR should be there,” McKenzie asserted, adding that he has been “let down terribly” by officials who are “corrupt to the core.”
To underscore the seriousness of his claims, the Sports Minister announced his intention to publicly name two specific SAFA officials who are allegedly obstructing the process. “I am getting their names tomorrow, and I am going to name them,” he declared, challenging the obstructive parties to explain why state-funded progress is being deliberately stalled.
As the 21-day countdown begins, South African football fans remain on edge, awaiting the outcome of this high-stakes standoff between the national sports department and the country’s football governing body. The resolution will critically determine the near-future trajectory of officiating technology and administrative accountability in South African professional football.
