Prior to the commencement of Saturday’s East Cape Derby meeting, a team of NHA Officials consisting of the Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Senior Investigating Officer and Senior Stipendiary Steward conducted numerous stable searches.
During these searches, certain items were seized and sent to The National Horseracing Authority’s laboratory for analysis.
Additionally, an inspection was conducted of a number of runners racing at the race meeting.
In this regard, the Senior Veterinary Surgeon confirmed that nothing untoward was found and he was satisfied with the condition of each of the runners inspected.
During the course of this race meeting, The National Horseracing Authority’s Senior Investigating Officer conducted a search of the Jockey’s Quarters.
During the course of this search, it was established that, Jockey L Mxothwa was in possession of 2 cellular devices.
Jockey Mxothwa appeared before the Board and was questioned regarding his possession of these devices.
In this regard, he explained to the Board that, he had forgotten that he had failed to hand these devices in to the Clerk of Scales and had them on his possession.
In order to support the above version, Jockey Mxothwa allowed the Stipendiary Board access to the devices in question, this enabled the Board to confirm that there was no evidence of skulduggery or sinister evidence on either device.
Notwithstanding the apparent lack of intent on the part of Jockey Mxothwa, the possession of the cellular devices still amounted to a contravention of Rule 56.2.4. Accordingly, Jockey Mxothwa was issued with and signed, an admission of guilt for the minimum penalty, of a fine of R3500.
