Tony Ehrenreich (photo: Wikipedia)
Tony Ehrenreich, Provincial Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Western Cape, has issued an ultimatum demanding that all horses owned by Markus Jooste be excluded from the 2018 SUN Met, scheduled to be held at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday, 27 January.
In a press statement, issued on Monday, 22 January 2018 he says, “Markus Jooste is nothing but a looter, who collapsed Steinhoff taking billions of rands from poor people’s pension funds. He did this while he and his girl friend are riding around in luxury sedans. He has also invested millions of rands in the horse racing industry and monopolised the racing and horse sale fraternity.
COSATU is concerned that ABSA allows him to further milk the assets that he squandered from Steinhoff and related companies.
Jooste should be arrested and charged with corruption for the fraudulent financial activities he has involved the company in.
The Stellenbosch mafia are now desperately trying to shore up the house of cards that is collapsing, and which is exposing the levels of corruption that have their roots in Stellenbosch.
We demand an undertaking be given by the organisers that no horses with links to Marcus Jooste will be allowed to participate in the race. Failing which, Cosatu will be protesting at the event for the return of the money, that Marcus Jooste looted from the company for his high life, which was paid for by workers retirement savings.
The extravagance indulgence by the tiny elites that continues to squander the national wealth for their own gratification will not be left unchallenged. It is becoming more clearly everyday that the elite in society have no ounce of morality; they continue to live the high life on the backs of working families.”
In addition to COSATU, Leon Gilbert, the Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) Assistant General Manager: Members’ Affairs, has confirmed that PSA members will also be demonstrating outside Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday.
There are currently 20 Mayfair owned horses carded for 27 January 2018, nine of which are carded to run in Mayfair Speculators’ silks and eleven to run in partnership colours.
The Sporting Post has forwarded a copy of both statements to Kenilworth Racing, Phumelela Gaming & Leisure Ltd, the NHA and Sun International for comment.
