Bafana Bafana pay dispute erupts as SAFA chief removed from parliamentary meeting

The salaries of South Africa coaches came under intense scrutiny after SAFA chief executive Lydia Monyepao was ordered to leave a parliamentary committee meeting for refusing to disclose Hugo Broos’ earnings.

Committee chairperson Joe McGluwa had asked the South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO how much the Bafana Bafana coach was paid. Monyepao declined to answer, citing the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

Her refusal prompted McGluwa to instruct that she be removed from the meeting, escalating the dispute over the confidentiality of coaching contracts.

“We have put it to members that we cannot disclose salaries of coaches. I cannot answer that question chair. I would appreciate it if you can share this letter with me so that I can consult with our legal people so that we can respond to this. I cannot disclose the coach’s salaries,” Manyepao.

SAFA vice-presidents Bennet Bailey and Linda Zwane then provided details about the package offered to former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane.

They confirmed that Mosimane had initially been offered R5 million per year. That figure was later doubled to R10 million annually after the National Executive Committee (NEC) considered the proposal.

The amount was still below the R16.8 million annual figure for Broos that was later confirmed by South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.

McKenzie intervened as committee members continued to question SAFA representatives about the coach’s remuneration.

“When the NEC approved the appointment of Hugo Broos, the salary was R8 million per year. The final figures I wouldn’t know,” Sibam said.

Bailey said the initial figure did not include the full value of Broos’ overall package, including tax considerations and bonuses.

“I just want to continue where Mr Sibam left off, he’s right, that was the initial salary but when it was worked out in terms of the tax and all those things and bonuses, it comes to nearly R16 million. I think Mr Sibam must just confirm that but I think it was close to that if it was not on the dot,” Bailey said.

McKenzie then gave a more detailed breakdown of the amount, saying Broos received R16.8 million per year, equivalent to R1.4 million per month.

He said that figure did not include additional benefits such as a vehicle, accommodation and a driver.

“Hugo Broos got annually R16.8 million, R1.4 million a month, that excludes car, accomodation, driver, I just want to pu that in context so that it must not be saying that we are not answering the Portfolio Committee,” Gayton Mckenzie added.

The meeting therefore placed two coaching packages under the spotlight: the offer made to Mosimane and the remuneration attached to Broos’ appointment.

While Monyepao maintained that SAFA could not disclose coaches’ salaries because of privacy legislation, other representatives and the sports minister provided figures during the committee’s questioning. The disagreement culminated in the SAFA CEO’s removal from the parliamentary meeting.