Following suggestions that Kaizer Chiefs appeared to have been assisted by an unofficial version of VAR in their win over Sekhukhune United, a former referee has weighed in on the matter.
Chiefs missed a number of chances in a game that was deadlocked, but one that turned around for them after Sekhukhune were reduced to ten men in the last six minutes following the red card of Vuyo Letlapa.
Mfundo Vilakazi scored the decisive goal two minutes later in a 1-0 victory.
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In another game, on another day, the incident could have been missed, after Letlapa kicked Vilakazi in an off-the-ball incident.
However, referee Akhona Makalima used the communication earpiece - normally used to talk with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials - to consult.
Instead of running towards her assistant on the touchline, she gave an impression, especially for supporters in the stadium, that she was consulting a VAR official, listening and speaking through an earpiece from the centre of the pitch.
Live TV footage showed another angle where one of the assistant referees on the day appeared to be the one relaying information to the on-field referee.
Former PSL and FIFA referee Ace Ncobo has clarified that there was nothing untoward about the incident.
"There has to be a communication between the referee and the other officials, because in terms of the law, they are there to assist the referee," Ncobo said on SuperSport's Extra Time.
"It could even be the fourth official. Whatever happens out of the view of the referee, the other referees that are there, they can inform the referee and the appropriate decision taken.
"I think the correct decision was taken. Excessive use of force, you endanger the safety of an opponent. The referee will always deem that as serious foul play. It doesn't have to be picked up by the referee on the centre, it can be picked up any of the other officials," Ncobo explained.
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Makalima is one of a handful of officials with the experience of operating VAR in South Africa.
The Eastern Cape native was the only Mzansi VAR official at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, with Abongile Tom the only on-field referee from the southernmost tip of the continent at the tournament.