Gayton McKenzie under siege over R20 million payment

Member of Parliament Leah Potgieter has requested details about the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s R20 payment for Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Minister Gayton McKenzie approved a R20 million transfer to the South African Football Association (SAFA) to implement VAR in South African soccer.

“Since McKenzie intervened in bringing VAR to local soccer, questions remain about the decision-making and due process surrounding the R20 million,” she said.

“Of particular concern was the Minister’s decision to transfer such a large amount to SAFA before it had provided a complete VAR feasibility study.”

She said that the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture has repeatedly requested information from Minister McKenzie and SAFA.

This information includes all official agreements, reports, feasibility studies and other relevant documents relating to the transfer of R20 million.

“Despite repeated assurances that these documents would be made available to the Committee, none have been provided to date,” she said.

According to McKenzie, the South African Football Association has met its 21-day extension to submit a VAR report.

“It will now be seen whether Minister McKenzie will follow through on his demand that the prematurely transferred R20 million be returned to the Department,” she said.

McKenzie initially decided to transfer R20 million to SAFA, followed by a subsequent instruction to return the funds.

“This raises concerns about the due process behind the original transfer of such a large sum,” Potgieter said.

“Over the past year, this money could have been used to provide real support to the sporting federations that need it.”

In the interest of public accountability, the Democratic Alliance (DA) submitted a Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) request.

This request was sent to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the South African Football Association (SAFA).

This request is for all documents underpinning Minister Gayton McKenzie’s initial decision to transfer R20 million to SAFA.