Public protector’s report on racing investigation late
The public protector's report on the transfer of horseracing assets by the Gauteng Government was supposed to have been released at the end of September but now the investigator seems to be dilly dalying and says he is now waiting for a draft poicy review document in respect of horseracing.Photo Supplied The public protector's report on the transfer of horseracing assets by the Gauteng Government was supposed to have been released at the end of September but now the investigator seems to be dilly dalying and says he is now waiting for a draft poicy review document in respect of horseracing.Photo Supplied
Wiseman Khuzwayo
THE OFFICE of the public protector has not issued a report that was due at the end of September of its investigation into a complaint that the Gauteng provincial government unlawfully transferred horse racing assets to Phumelela Gaming & Leisure.
However, on Wednesday, Stoffel Fourie, an investigator at the office, wrote to the complainant, former racehorse breeder Phindi Kema, and said he and his colleagues were working on finalising a draft report for submission to public protector Thuli Madonsela.
“As explained, the public protector is operating under difficult circumstances due to severe capacity constraints.”
Oupa Segwale, spokesman for Madonsela, did not respond to an e-mail or calls on Friday.
The basis of Kema’s complaint is an agreement entered into in 2007 between Gauteng and the National Horseracing Authority for the transfer free of charge of horse racing assets – racecourses and the totalisator – into the hands of Phumelela.
Three racecourses were involved and of these, two have been sold by Phumelela for development.
In August, Kema bolstered her complaint when she submitted evidence that the UK government was able to sell similar assets for R180 million, which was set aside for good causes.
In September, the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), said it would issue a draft policy document in which the public and industry would have an opportunity to make submissions.
This was in response to rising complaints about widespread abuse in the industry, including the assault of grooms.
On October 7, Kema wrote to Madonsela expressing her anxiety about her office’s failure to release the report despite three years of investigation.
Fourie responded by saying Zodwa Ntuli, deputy director-general at the dti, said the department was in the process of finalising the draft policy review document. This would be gazetted for public comment and the public protector would also be provided with a copy.
“This appears to be a step in the right direction in terms of the remedial action that we discussed during our meeting. We will follow up on the progress made with the draft document and keep you posted.”
But Kema is not happy with this direction, saying her complaint is specific, whereas the draft policy review policy document will be wide ranging.