Phumelela commits to fixing inhumane living conditions for Grooms at Turffontein

19 October 2014

Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Ltd has committed to improving the living and working conditions of grooms employed at Turffontein racecourse.

Earlier this month Solly Malatsi, Paul Willemburg and I visited Turffontein racecourse and were appalled by the inhumane living conditions we were shown by about 50 grooms employed by racehorse trainers at Turffontein racecourse.

Last week I met with representatives of Phumelela who assured me that letters have been sent to all trainers instructing them to bring the grooms's accommodation to an acceptable standard by the end of November.

The DA has called for living conditions to be fixed by the Summer Cup, the flagship raceday to be held at Turffontein racecourse on 29 November.

I will return to Turffontein racecourse ahead of the Summer Cup to make sure that Phumelela makes good on its promises.

Letters have also been sent by Phumelela to all trainers requiring them to ensure terms and conditions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act are adhered to by the end of the year, or face eviction.

I will not rest until all the human rights of all workers at Turffontein are respected and protected.

The sport of Horse Racing recently rebranded in South Africa under the slogan "Racing - it's a rush". The aim of this rebranding is to attract younger, diverse, South Africans to race courses on big days like the Durban July, J&B Met and Summer Cup.

But if horse racing wants to become more appealing to young South Africans, it must walk the talk by eradicating all discrimination in the sport. A good place to start is the shocking living conditions of grooms at Turffontein.

Statement issued by Phumzile Van Damme MP, DA National Spokesperson, October 21 2014

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