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A racing journalist has been fined £900 for criticising the National Horseracing Authority.
Charl Pretorius wrote on his blog that some of the NHA's press releases were harmful to the image of racing and added "a guilty verdict for any individual dragged before the NHA board is as much as a given."
The NHA inquiry board, chaired by a senior counsel, ruled that Pretorius's article had the effect of bringing the NHA's name into disrepute in contravention of Rule 72.1.26 and hit him with a SAR 10,000fine.
It is rare for journalists in any country to be fined by a racing authority, not least because they are not licensed by the authority, and the NHA believes that this could be a first in South Africa.
Racing control manager Denzil Pillay said: "I am not sure that there is a precedent, but Mr Pretorius was a member of the NHA as an owner."
Pretorius relinquished his colours before the inquiry began and his lawyers argued that "our client no longer regards himself as having any relationship, whether contractual or otherwise, with the NHA. As far as our client is concerned, the NHA rules do not apply to him."
However, the inquiry board ruled that he was "still subject to the jurisdiction of the NHA at the time when he published the article."
Pretorius is unrepentant, saying: "I did not attend the inquiry and I don't accept the findings. This is a witch hunt against me. Why should I be fined for expressing my opinions as a journalist? It's completely ridiculous."
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