Gayton McKenzie Grilled Over R30.9 Million World Cup Spend And VAR Funding
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie faced intense questioning in Parliament over millions of rands spent on a 2026 FIFA World Cup delegation and funding provided for the rollout of VAR.
McKenzie appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture on Tuesday amid mounting questions about the department’s spending, governance and board appointments.
MPs also challenged him over allegations of political patronage involving appointments to arts and culture boards.
Also Read: Gayton McKenzie Faces Calls for Transparency Over 2026 World Cup Travelling Team
MPs Demand Answers On World Cup Spending
The department spent R30.9 million on a 151-member delegation linked to the World Cup.
The group included government officials, artists, cultural personalities, former Bafana Bafana players, supporters, journalists and influencers.
McKenzie defended the expenditure, arguing that the delegation was about more than attending football matches.
“The progress we made in showcasing South Africa on the global stage cannot be reduced to numbers alone. We took our culture, our legends and our people to the world. That is nation-building,” McKenzie told MPs.
The DA, however, questioned whether taxpayers received value for money.
DA MP Leah Potgieter called for a detailed account of how the funds were spent.
“South Africans deserve to know why R30.9 million was spent on what looks like a junket. We want accountability, not slogans,” she said.
Millions Spent On Trips, Tickets And Events
Departmental figures show that the World Cup-related expenditure covered several categories.
About R10 million went towards programme activities, while R7.86 million was spent on official travel.
A further R6.71 million was allocated to a Bafana Bafana Legends exhibition match.
The department also spent R3.36 million on suites and R3.01 million on match tickets.
McKenzie maintained that the spending formed part of a broader effort to promote South Africa internationally.
Minister Demands R30 Million VAR Money Back
McKenzie also turned his attention to Safa over the failure to introduce VAR in the PSL for the 2026-27 season.
The minister said Safa had received R30 million from the state for the VAR project but had failed to deliver the promised system.
He said he had written to Safa demanding that the money be returned.
“Safa must pay back the money. They ignored correspondence, they failed the public, and they left me politically exposed,” he declared.
McKenzie initially referred to the funding as R13 million before correcting the figure to R30 million.
He said he had also approached FIFA over the matter.
“We were supposed to have VAR. I did everything humanly possible. Now I’m writing to Fifa. I’ve already spoken to them, but they said I must put it in writing.”
He later revealed that Safa had requested 21 days to respond to his demand for the return of the funds.
EFF MP Clashes With McKenzie
The committee hearing became heated when EFF MP and musician Eugene Mthethwa accused McKenzie of neglecting artists while spending heavily on international activities.
“Minister, you are turning this department into a circus. Artists are dying poor while you parade influencers overseas. You are failing the very people you claim to represent,” Mthethwa said.
McKenzie responded sharply, accusing Mthethwa of being part of problems within the sector.
“I will not be lectured by someone who has milked the system for years. You talk about starving artists, yet you were part of the rot. I am here to clean up, not to protect old networks,” he said.
The exchange caused an uproar, forcing the Speaker to intervene and restore order.
Board Appointments Also Under Scrutiny
Questions were also raised over 19 appointments to arts and culture boards allegedly linked to McKenzie’s personal assistant.
The MK Party described the appointments as alleged political patronage being presented as governance.
The allegations have added another layer of pressure on the minister, with MPs demanding greater transparency around the appointment process.
There have also been calls for the Public Protector to investigate both the World Cup expenditure and the board appointments.
McKenzie Stands By His Record
Despite the criticism, McKenzie remained unapologetic about taking South African cultural figures and sporting personalities to the World Cup.
He said the department would nevertheless account for the expenditure.
“I will not apologise for taking South Africa to the world. But I will ensure every cent is accounted for. Transparency is non-negotiable.”