South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has confirmed that an announcement on the long-delayed introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the country’s football leagues will be made on Wednesday.
McKenzie provided the update in response to a question on X following the MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
“We making an announcement on Wednesday,” he wrote.
The statement has raised expectations that the uncertainty surrounding VAR’s implementation in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) could soon become clearer, although the minister has not yet confirmed whether the announcement will include a rollout date.
McKenzie has repeatedly expressed frustration over the delay, arguing that the government has provided funding to help SAFA introduce the technology but that progress has stalled.
In August, he said he had asked the South African Football Association to account for the public funds allocated to the project after the planned introduction of VAR failed to materialise.
SAFA requested a 21-day grace period to address the matter, while McKenzie warned that he would consider further action if the association failed to respond satisfactorily.
The minister has also maintained that the technology must be introduced to improve officiating and strengthen confidence in decisions made during matches.
However, the implementation process involves more than securing funding. SAFA must work within FIFA’s requirements, including the necessary planning, technical arrangements and referee training before VAR can be deployed.
The delay has kept the issue in the spotlight as the domestic season progresses without the technology in place.
McKenzie’s latest statement offers the clearest indication yet that an update is imminent. Wednesday’s announcement is expected to clarify the status of discussions with SAFA and what steps will follow.
For now, the minister has confirmed only that an announcement is coming; whether it will settle the implementation timeline remains to be seen.
