Safa Under Fire Over Coach Salaries and VAR Funding in Parliamentary Hearing

A parliamentary committee hearing on Tuesday revealed that former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos earned R1.4 million per month, or R16.8 million annually, excluding benefits like accommodation and a car. The disclosure came during a tense session between the South African Football Association (Safa) and the Sport, Arts and Culture Portfolio Committee. The figures emerged after Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao was ejected from the meeting by chairperson Joseph McGluwa for refusing to disclose the salary, citing confidentiality. Minister Gayton McKenzie and Safa CFO Gronie Hluyo eventually confirmed the amount, with Hluyo adding that Broos was entitled to 10 percent of the approximately R191 million Safa will receive from Fifa for World Cup qualification.

The salary disclosure is central to ongoing negotiations with incoming coach Pitso Mosimane. While the National Executive Committee approved Mosimane's appointment on August 8, a final deal has not been reached. Reports suggest Mosimane may be offered R10 million, a figure significantly lower than Broos's package. Minister McKenzie has criticized this disparity, arguing that a coach of Mosimane's pedigree should not be undervalued and suggesting that the pay gap reflects historical racial inequalities in South Africa.

The committee also addressed the failed implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. Minister McKenzie demanded the return of R30 million in departmental funds allocated for VAR, as the technology was not operational for the new Premier Soccer League season. Safa finance committee chair Mxolisi Sibam stated that the funds were placed in a separate account and that the NEC had mandated the implementation of the system. Other issues discussed included the retirement of team manager Vincent Tseka and previous administrative failures regarding travel visas for the national team.