S’manga Kumalo seeks relief in courts
Current South African national jockey log leader S’Manga Khumalo will be permitted to continue riding following the dismissal of his recent appeal.
On Friday 14 March 2014, an Appeal Board constituted by The National Horseracing Authority (“NHA”) dismissed Jockey S’Manga Khumalo’s appeal against the penalty imposed by an NHA Inquiry Board.
The Inquiry Board had suspended Jockey Khumalo from riding for a period of 60 days following a finding that he had failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that the horse, SUPERTUBE, ridden by him in the 10th race at the Vaal Racecourse on 5 November 2013, was given a full opportunity to obtain the best possible placing.
Immediately after the Appeal Board dismissed the appeal, Jockey Khumalo’s legal representative, Mr Robert Bloomberg, informed the NHA that he had received instructions to approach the High Court to review the finding of the Appeal Board and to seek an urgent interdict to prevent the implementation of the suspension from riding pending the hearing of the review application.
After deliberation and having regard to the circumstances relating to previous review applications and the cost implications involved, the management of the NHA agreed that the implementation of the penalty be suspended pending the hearing of the review application.
However, strict timelines and conditions have been laid down for the launching of the High Court application, which have thus far been adhered to by Jockey Khumalo. Needless to say, should any of the timelines or conditions not be adhered to, the penalty imposed on Jockey Khumalo will be enforced with immediate effect.
