Outcry over hacked horses horror

ATTACK: ONE ANIMAL DIES, OTHERS BADLY INJURED

Panga-wielding assailants cause havoc – but PE race will continue.

Large mob wielding pangas, knobkerries attack 28 thoroughbreds.

Racehorse trainers and owners in Port Elizabeth voted to go ahead with today’s race meeting at Fairview racecourse – despite Thursday’s horrific attack on 28 horses stabled at the venue on Thursday.

One horse was killed and several others were seriously injured and in danger of being euthanised after they were set upon by 150 to 200 panga- and knobkerrie-wielding assailants, according to the East Cape Horse Care Unit.

The mob of current and former horse grooms employed at the Fairview training centre descended on the stables of leading trainer Yvette Bremner at 6am. After threatening her and her stable workers, the invaders released 28 horses from their boxes and chased them around the property, stabbing and beating the fleeing animals.

The Public Order Police unit was called in and the situation had stabilised by midday. More than 30 police vehicles were on the scene at one stage, noted one observer.

Police spokesperson Priscilla Naidu said charges of malicious damages to property would be laid, while the NSPCA vowed to bring charges. Racing operator Phumelela said it would pursue “all avenues with law and order officials to ensure all those responsible are prosecuted”.

Luciano Passerini, Phumelela’s racing manager in Port Elizabeth, said a meeting of all affected parties decided to proceed with today’s meeting at Fairview. “All necessary security protocols will be in place,” said Passerini.

It is understood that a long-simmering labour dispute is at the root of the trouble. Seven months ago, riotous protests erupted at Fairview after Bremner dismissed a groom for allegedly stabbing an unruly horse. Other employees were also fired in the wake of the protests.

The disaffected ex-workers were known to be living in an informal settlement adjacent to the training centre. A recent Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration hearing upheld the legality of the firings.

East Cape Horse Care Unit inspector Carla Hazel said all the horses would be retained at the Bremner yard under heavy guard for the immediate future, describing the scene as “horrific”. A team of vets were treating them.

One of Bremner’s charges, the five-year-old gelding Mark The Doorman, died in the unrest, suffering panga slashes before galloping into a fence and breaking his neck. Michael de Haast said two of his unraced fillies, Whisky Cavalier and Little Bit Naughty, were slashed by pangas and hit on the head by knobkerries.