With SAFA appearing before the Sports Portfolio Committee on various matters on Tuesday, questions on the costs and timelines of the implementation of the VAR system have taken early centre stage.
SAFA are currently briefing parliament on their 2023/24 annual financial statements, governance, latest developments with all national teams, and updates on the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee.
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With President Dr. Danny Jordaan also present, the FA are also expected to comment on various allegations levelled against him, as well as the organization's inability to pay salaries on time.
Before the proceedings, there were already written questions to Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, dated 16 May 2025, by Rise Mzansi chief organiser and MP Makashule Gana, which were responded to by the Department in writing.
Opposition political party Rise Mzansi asked five questions in writing to McKenzie and his department, all in writing, as a precursor to the briefing.
Pertinently, these included whether the total costs of running VAR have been established, who will be responsible for the maintenance of the system, companies that expressed interest and whether the system or the budget will include goal-line technology.
In reply, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture responded that they have set aside a budget of R90 million towards the project.
However, the wheels are yet to be set in motion, with SAFA said to evaluate proposals from companies in early June.
The Sports Department conceded that how the system will be maintained and its costs is yet to be determined and that the picture will get clearer once there is a memorandum of agreement in place.
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The Department has expectations that the PSL should have the VAR system operating when the new Betway Premiership season starts in August.
*This article was published with the briefing still ongoing.
