Yvette Bremner

.....rather surprised that there has been no comments on this latest development as if true.....sets a very dangerous precedent as this ruling could encourage a spate of employees absconding from their jobs and being able to claim UIF BENEFITS.....:oops:....and basically the marauding hoard of savages are to be rewarded for their disgusting acts of barbarism against their former employer.....and that really rubs the salt very deep....:sick:

Muhti, the whole process is laughable and besides, i doubt that the "employer" has the appetite to take this matter to the Labour Court. People often forget, the CCMA is a mediation body, not a court and any of their rulings can be challenged. I definitely would not go along with the ruling.

.....so it smells like a bit of journalistic guess work.....as the reason for the "riots" was that the absconding grooms could not claim UIF....NOW THE ccma says(recommends) that they can.....:dry:

The crux of the UIF matter is were they fired or did they abscond.To my mind they absconded, as they were never dismissed,but they now claim they were fired ,obviously to enable them to claim from UIF.

As Muti alluded to in a previous post,it sets a dangerous precedent and could encourage similar unruly behavior in future .

And unless I missed it ,still no word from the racing authorities.

Is it not possible that someone acted irrationally by firing someone for negligence, and then egos took over and finally the horse bolted.

What is irrational is that both Phumelela & the NHA knew about the situation in PE for months and were well aware of the intimidation, threats as well as the legal route the trainer had followed. The CCMA ruling is disgraceful to say the least on the information available.

The Operators and the NHA seem to operate without challenge;
Documented Threats & Intimidation in PE by grooms = Not bringing racing into disrepute & no action taken
Documented Violence & killing a horse = Not bringing racing into disrepute & no action taken
Alleged racist remark = immediate suspension , hearing and fine
On course assault = not bringing racing into disrepute & pat on the wrist
Traces of caffeine = massive fine & when challenged the NHA loses the case, this does not bring racing into disrepute.

The legal route was followed by the trainer in PE and yet the perpetrators of various crimes are entertained by the CCMA, EFF, NHA & Phumelela. What a wonderful world we live in.

Felix wrote: The crux of the UIF matter is were they fired or did they abscond.To my mind they absconded, as they were never dismissed,but they now claim they were fired ,obviously to enable them to claim from UIF.

As Muti alluded to in a previous post,it sets a dangerous precedent and could encourage similar unruly behavior in future .

And unless I missed it ,still no word from the racing authorities.

According to the article, 39 of them were fired sometime between February and March.

Lionel, in the interview that Hedley gave shortly after the incident(the rioting etc) only the groom that stabbed the horse in his care was dismissed after following the correct procedure as prescribed by the LRA.The rest of the grooms then absconded in solidarity of their dismissed colleague and never returned to work.Their action of absconding was confirmed/upheld by the Department of Labour.

Would love to see an investigative piece written by an impartial party (Daily Maverick ?) - as there seems to be a bunch of stories doing the rounds - and in this case there is seemingly more than 3 sides to this particular story; for me I'd like the following bits covered ...

The whole story of moving from Arlington to Fairview - what was promised and how come the affected grooms ended up staying in the bush ?

The issue of the horse allegedly being stabbed by a groom and the retort that it was just an ear that was clipped - I know there are photos of the horse that was stabbed - but these could have been taken 5 years ago in another incident - not saying it has, but to me not proving beyond any doubt that the horse was indeed stabbed by the offending groom

What is the NHA stance on this - and why are they keeping stum - has money changed hands ?

Then the whole issue ito UIF - and the alleged interference by the EFF - and any truth in the rumors that a security company handled incidents with undue force ....

Lastly the episode where horses were let out of their stalls and allegedly beaten using sticks and pangas (could never be condoned) - which led to the demise of at least one horse and others suffering injuries to the extent that they will never race again.

Unfortunately imo the standard of journalism is this country have gone down the tubes (as with many other things), so unless an impartial journalist takes it on him- or herself, I think most of the public will forever be in the dark as to the details covering this whole sad chapter

And one year on, has anything changed??

One of them guys moved to Down Under...………..:whistle:

www.racenet.com.au/news/goondiwindi-slas...-queensland-20210721

Not nice Mike, horrible bastards!

But i also think reckless the way you worded the post