Government Warns Racing
- Bob Brogan
-
Topic Author
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 82488
- Thanks: 6450
Government Warns Racing
10 years 9 months ago
The government was ready to step in to regulate the horse racing industry if it failed to do so itself, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has said in response to rising complaints.
Deputy director-general Zodwa Ntuli said yesterday that any intervention would follow due process.
“I must indicate that as government we have received requests from the industry that horse racing in its entirety requires government to intervene and regulate. Currently, we regulate the betting part of the industry as it constitutes gambling, but other aspects remain self-regulated.”
Ntuli was responding to accusations that the industry was resistant to transformation, a call that has been made repeatedly by the SA Grooms Association and Phindi Kema, a racehorse breeder and activist in the industry.
Grooms have said they shared sleeping space with horses, were paid R30 a day and were abused by trainers.
Currently, the industry regulates itself through the National Horseracing Authority (NHA), which it funds. That has raised eyebrows from the corporate governance point of view
“The fundamental principle in regulation is that government only intervenes when there is a clear failure,” Ntuli said.
Denzil Pillay, the chief executive of the NHA, said he had not been approached about the facilitation process. He said he would not comment further until he knew what was in the government’s mind.
Ntuli said the department would issue a draft policy document in which the public and the industry would have an opportunity to make submissions.
According to the website of Phumelela Gaming and Leisure, the biggest horse racing operator out of two in the country, the industry plays an important role in South Africa’s economy and creates employment for about 100 000 people. Race meetings are held 364 days a year and annual betting turnover is more than R7 billion.
Ntuli said that if the government decided to regulate, it would regulate on the terms and framework of the government after consulting with all stakeholders.
“It will not mean that government will merely legitimise a self-regulatory structure that exists, such as the NHA, and make it part of the framework. Our job is not merely to put a stamp on a structure in the industry but to ensure regulation addresses the dynamic challenges of the industry.”
She said the other issue that had been raised was the lack of transformation and alleged abusive conduct towards grooms. “This issue of abusive conduct, if true, is unacceptable and cannot be condoned in this democratic dispensation.
We are particularly concerned about the allegations made by grooms that they are being abused, even to the point of being assaulted.
“We urge grooms to also report such conduct to the police as this country has laws against this.”
In September last year, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies promised to put together a team of facilitators to assist the horse racing industry to transform.
Ntuli said the dti had completed the process of appointing the facilitator with experience in facilitating the resolution of disputes, especially ones that had labour relations aspects.
“We have consulted the industry about this, including NHA. We expect the dispute to be resolved soon. We impress on the parties to engage in a bona fide manner, as it is in everyone’s interest that we work together.
“The aspect of transformation in general in gambling will be our focus as government because all industries should ensure that previously disadvantaged persons enter the industry and become economically active. Revised broad-based black economic empowerment must be complied with, and government will monitor this closely.”
www.iol.co.za
Deputy director-general Zodwa Ntuli said yesterday that any intervention would follow due process.
“I must indicate that as government we have received requests from the industry that horse racing in its entirety requires government to intervene and regulate. Currently, we regulate the betting part of the industry as it constitutes gambling, but other aspects remain self-regulated.”
Ntuli was responding to accusations that the industry was resistant to transformation, a call that has been made repeatedly by the SA Grooms Association and Phindi Kema, a racehorse breeder and activist in the industry.
Grooms have said they shared sleeping space with horses, were paid R30 a day and were abused by trainers.
Currently, the industry regulates itself through the National Horseracing Authority (NHA), which it funds. That has raised eyebrows from the corporate governance point of view
“The fundamental principle in regulation is that government only intervenes when there is a clear failure,” Ntuli said.
Denzil Pillay, the chief executive of the NHA, said he had not been approached about the facilitation process. He said he would not comment further until he knew what was in the government’s mind.
Ntuli said the department would issue a draft policy document in which the public and the industry would have an opportunity to make submissions.
According to the website of Phumelela Gaming and Leisure, the biggest horse racing operator out of two in the country, the industry plays an important role in South Africa’s economy and creates employment for about 100 000 people. Race meetings are held 364 days a year and annual betting turnover is more than R7 billion.
Ntuli said that if the government decided to regulate, it would regulate on the terms and framework of the government after consulting with all stakeholders.
“It will not mean that government will merely legitimise a self-regulatory structure that exists, such as the NHA, and make it part of the framework. Our job is not merely to put a stamp on a structure in the industry but to ensure regulation addresses the dynamic challenges of the industry.”
She said the other issue that had been raised was the lack of transformation and alleged abusive conduct towards grooms. “This issue of abusive conduct, if true, is unacceptable and cannot be condoned in this democratic dispensation.
We are particularly concerned about the allegations made by grooms that they are being abused, even to the point of being assaulted.
“We urge grooms to also report such conduct to the police as this country has laws against this.”
In September last year, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies promised to put together a team of facilitators to assist the horse racing industry to transform.
Ntuli said the dti had completed the process of appointing the facilitator with experience in facilitating the resolution of disputes, especially ones that had labour relations aspects.
“We have consulted the industry about this, including NHA. We expect the dispute to be resolved soon. We impress on the parties to engage in a bona fide manner, as it is in everyone’s interest that we work together.
“The aspect of transformation in general in gambling will be our focus as government because all industries should ensure that previously disadvantaged persons enter the industry and become economically active. Revised broad-based black economic empowerment must be complied with, and government will monitor this closely.”
www.iol.co.za
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Dave Scott
-
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 43867
- Thanks: 3338
Re: Government Warns Racing
10 years 9 months ago
That's all we need to have government involvement , I have had to deal with a couple of departments in the last month and the red tape and inefficientcy is unbelievable and time is not a factor in anyway.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- rob faux
-
- New Member
-
- Thanks: 0
Re: Government Warns Racing
10 years 9 months ago - 10 years 9 months ago
You will find a number of posts where I warned of government intervention due to failure to self regulate!!!!!
The example I used was the insurance industry where the implementation was a nightmare.
Generally the response was that I was just moaning......lol.
This initial issue is prompted mainly by the groom issue,but once it starts it never ends!
The example I used was the insurance industry where the implementation was a nightmare.
Generally the response was that I was just moaning......lol.
This initial issue is prompted mainly by the groom issue,but once it starts it never ends!
Last edit: 10 years 9 months ago by rob faux.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Bob Brogan
-
Topic Author
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 82488
- Thanks: 6450
Re: Government Warns Racing
10 years 9 months ago - 10 years 9 months ago
I see phumelela are saying once and for all that there is no groom issue
The money was issued was not meant only for the grooms and everyone including the grooms are wrong
So so there
The money was issued was not meant only for the grooms and everyone including the grooms are wrong
So so there
Last edit: 10 years 9 months ago by Bob Brogan.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- johnnycomelately
-
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 3211
- Thanks: 295
Re: Government Warns Racing
10 years 9 months ago
Phumelela don't need to worry much
With government intervening it will drag on for another decade
The poor souls hard done by now,won't benefit
With government intervening it will drag on for another decade
The poor souls hard done by now,won't benefit
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- colors
-
- New Member
-
- Thanks: 0
Re: Government Warns Racing
10 years 9 months agoBob Brogan wrote: I see phumelela are saying once and for all that there is no groom issue
The money was issued was not meant only for the grooms and everyone including the grooms are wrong
So so there
agree but their biggest gripe was towards the trainers.R30 a day for some ,bedding and most disturbingly assaults by the trainer
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Craig Eudey
-
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 4561
- Thanks: 559
Re: Government Warns Racing
10 years 9 months ago
They must name and shame those trainers. If that is what they are doing then they must be thrown out of racing.
The following user(s) said Thank You: mr hawaii, ItsAllOver
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Dave Scott
-
- Administrator
-
- Posts: 43867
- Thanks: 3338
Re: Government Warns Racing
10 years 9 months ago
You are correct Craig and Louis said the same, why tarnish an industry due to a minority of trainers treating the grooms badly.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- eorsmond
-
- New Member
-
- Thanks: 0
Re: Government Warns Racing
10 years 9 months ago
Goverment wants to regulate everything. But they can't even regulate their own stomachs. (lol)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Time to create page: 0.115 seconds