Minister Gayton McKenzie’s continued failure to account for delays in delivering Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to South African soccer is a serious broken promise.
At a media briefing yesterday, Minister McKenzie confirmed he has washed his hands of the delayed VAR implementation, saying, “There are no more questions you can ask me about VAR” – leaving the project almost entirely in the hands of the South African Football Association (SAFA).
Soccer fans and players who have long looked forward to this promised improvement in South African soccer are once again left disappointed.
Minister McKenzie has mastered grandstanding but has yet to demonstrate the same commitment to delivering on his promises.
South Africa has no place for ministers who drop the ball and then refuse to take questions about their failures.
Meanwhile, R20 million remains tied up at SAFA, with little VAR progress to show for it.
Unfortunately for Minister McKenzie, he can’t wash his hands of it. A commitment was made, and public money was allocated.