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Screenshot from a video of protesters at the Fairview Race Yard. Horses have reportedly been attacked.
Port Elizabeth traffic and accident information
- Police have made an arrest following the violence at a racetrack in the Eastern Cape.
- But the perpetrators who allegedly hacked the horses are still at large.
- The man now in custody was arrested for widespread violence, and not for the death of a racehorse.
One person has been arrested, and remains behind bars in police cells, following violence at a racecourse in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.
But no one has been arrested for killing one horse and wounding several more.
This was confirmed by the police on Friday morning: the day after a massive protest broke out on the Fairview Race Yard fields in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.
One horse was killed and others injured when disgruntled former employees stormed the grounds.
Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu told News24 that one person, 49, had been arrested Thursday for public violence and intentional damage to property.
“He is expected to appear in court on Monday,” he said.
When asked if anyone had been arrested for the violent attacks on animals, he said no.
In a video of the protest, which has been circulating on social media, a large group of people can be seen entering the racecourse and running towards the stables.
The group is alleged to have arrived at their old workplace around 06:00 on Thursday and used a panga to kill a horse and stab others.
READ | Racehorse killed while disgruntled former workers protested at Port Elizabeth racecourse
Naidu said that between 150 and 200 protesters stormed the property, broke the locks on the stables and released about 28 horses early in the morning.
“The horses were released and forced to leave the property attacking them. They were reported to be running in all directions with their abusers, taunting them with sticks and stones,” he said.
“A horse was found dead a kilometer away in an opening near houses. It is alleged that he was stabbed and assaulted.”
She said all the racehorses were accounted for and the injured were being treated by the Port Elizabeth Animal Cruelty League.
“At this stage, the exact reason for the protest and the subsequent death, injury and release of the horses are unknown.”
According to a statement from the International Racing Club, the owners of many of the horses at Fairview Race Yard, workers who were fired for showing solidarity with a coworker who stabbed a horse, protested on the ground and “chaos” broke out.
In his statement, club spokesman Michael de Haast, whose horses were affected, condemned the way the protesters raised their complaints.
According to De Haast, the circuit has an injunction against some of the former employees.
“Something must be done to stop this incredible violence and abuse against these animals,” he said.
De Haast called for action and urged coaches and other yards to stop racing until the matter is resolved. Shipyard managers said some of the horses would have to be euthanized due to their injuries.
The International Racing Club has called for action to be taken and all training to be halted until the matter is resolved.
