Former Premier Soccer League (PSL) and FIFA-accredited referee Victor Hlungwani has called on the league’s prosecuting officer, Zola Majavu, to take a tougher approach when dealing with disciplinary cases arising from poor and controversial refereeing decisions in South African football.
Hlungwani believes the standard of officiating in the country has reached a worrying level and warned that players could ultimately pay the price if referees fail to adequately protect them during matches.
His comments come at a time when refereeing decisions have once again become a major talking point in the opening stages of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season, with several controversial incidents sparking debate among supporters, clubs, coaches and former referees.
Hlungwani’s concern is not simply about incorrect decisions affecting results. He believes poor officiating can have much more serious consequences, particularly when referees fail to deal decisively with dangerous challenges.
According to Hlungwani, players are increasingly being exposed to challenges that could result in serious, potentially career-threatening injuries when referees do not apply the Laws of the Game consistently.
He has therefore urged Majavu to ensure that disciplinary authorities take strong action where there is sufficient evidence of serious misconduct, particularly in incidents involving reckless or dangerous tackles.
The former referee’s intervention comes as pressure continues to build for improvements in the standard of match officiating in the domestic game.
VAR controversy adds to pressure
The debate over refereeing has also intensified because South African football is still waiting for the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, despite government funding having been made available for the project.
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has become increasingly critical of the delays surrounding the introduction of VAR.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture transferred R20 million to SAFA in 2026 to support the implementation of VAR. However, SAFA confirmed this week that the money has not yet been spent and remains in a separate account, together with interest accrued.
McKenzie has demanded greater accountability from SAFA and has given the football association until September 9, 2026, to submit a comprehensive plan and report on the project. If SAFA fails to satisfy the department, the minister has indicated that the money could be returned and alternative avenues explored.
McKenzie has also publicly questioned why VAR has not yet been introduced despite the availability of government funding.
The minister has gone further by alleging that there are individuals benefiting from the absence of VAR and poor refereeing in the domestic game. Those claims are allegations and have not been independently established. SAFA has not accepted the suggestion that the delay is intended to benefit individuals.
SAFA explains the delay
SAFA, meanwhile, says it remains committed to implementing VAR but insists that the process must comply with its governance, financial and procurement requirements.
In its latest statement, the association said that DSAC transferred the R20 million in April 2026 and that, before receiving the money, SAFA had already conducted a technical evaluation of VAR technology and service providers.
The association said it had identified three preferred VAR providers, but had not entered into contractual agreements with any of them.
SAFA’s National Executive Committee approved the VAR project in principle at its meeting on 9 and 10 May 2026. However, the NEC subsequently ordered that the project’s budget, cost assumptions and procurement considerations undergo further review by the Finance Committee and a dedicated task team.
SAFA said this was necessary to comply with its governance and procurement requirements.
The association has also consulted the PSL through the Joint Liaison Committee, with the VAR project team presenting the proposed implementation framework to the JLC and PSL Executive Committee.
SAFA’s position on the R20 million
SAFA has stressed that none of the R20 million has been spent.
The association said the full amount remains secure in a separate bank account, together with the interest accrued, while the outstanding governance, budget verification and procurement processes are completed.
SAFA also acknowledged that these processes have taken longer than initially anticipated.
Following engagement with DSAC on August 18, the department granted the association a final 21-day extension to complete the outstanding processes and submit a comprehensive report.
SAFA says the report will include the recommendations arising from the review and confirmation of the funds held.
The association has reiterated that it wants VAR implemented in a manner that is transparent, financially responsible, compliant with governance and procurement requirements and sustainable.
Hlungwani’s warning
For Hlungwani, however, the urgency goes beyond the financial and administrative dispute surrounding VAR.
He believes the immediate priority should be ensuring that referees are held to the highest possible standards because their decisions can directly affect the safety of players and the credibility of the competition.
The former official’s call for stronger disciplinary intervention also puts the spotlight on the relationship between match officials and the PSL’s disciplinary structures.
While VAR could help referees review certain match-changing incidents, it cannot replace the responsibility of match officials to identify and punish dangerous play in real time.
The controversy has therefore created a broader debate about the future of South African football: whether the country needs better referee development, stronger accountability mechanisms, improved disciplinary action, VAR technology — or a combination of all four.
For now, the waiting game continues.
SAFA maintains that the R20 million remains untouched and that the VAR project is progressing through its internal processes, while McKenzie is demanding faster action.
At the same time, Hlungwani is urging the football authorities to take the issue of refereeing standards seriously before poor officiating results in consequences far more serious than disputed goals, penalties or points.
With the Betway Premiership season already underway, the pressure on South African football’s governing structures to restore confidence in match officiating is only likely to increase.