EFF tapped to protest with horse training centre staff while horses ‘starve’
Protesting horse grooms are allegedly threatening to take their grievances countrywide.
DOUBLE. Celtic Lady, pictured beating Burgundy Rose over 1000m at the Vaal last time, could defy a penalty when she meets that same horse in Race 9 at the Vaal Classic meeting tomorrow. PHOTO: JC Photos.
Protesting horse grooms have led to allegations that horses are starving at the Randjesfontein horse training centre in Midrand.
According to Sporting Post, grooms threatened to down tools today, June 21. It was also reported that trainers would make contingency plans to provide the horses with food and water.
However, one of the workers at the centre who wishes to remain anonymous called The Citizen today, explaining the horses had not been fed or watered in three days as a result of the protests.
The nature of the protest is also unclear, the anonymous worker said salary grievances could be a part of it.
The source also confirmed that horse trainers were trapped in the facility for two nights, and were desperately trying to get water and food to the horses. There are at least 700 horses on the property.
It is also alleged that, as a result of the grooms threatening to release horses from the centre, additional security measures have been put in place.
It is believed that a very small percentage of the centre’s grooms are protesting, but those protesting have enlisted the help of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to assist them.
The training centre has been forced to scratch a number of races as a result of the protest.
NB. Due to protest action preventing horses from leaving Randjesfontein, all runners based at Ranjesfontein will be scratched from today’s race meeting. Race 7 has been cancelled and entries for that race will be reopened for next Sunday.
— Racing Guru (@RacingGuru) May 20, 2018
Please Note: Due to protest action preventing horses from leaving the Randjesfontein Training Centre, all runners based there have been scratched from today’s Turffontein meeting, courtesy Sporting Post
— horseracingtips.co.za (@XtraCash) May 20, 2018
No comment from the horse-racing operator has been obtained, reports Sporting Post.
SAPS have allegedly not yet responded to the incident.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as they become available.
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