Markus Jooste's horses won't be at the Durban July
The former Steinhoff CEO's horses were taken out of the race amid threats by the PSA to disrupt the event.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has called off its planned protest at the Durban July, after assurances from the event organisers that former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste's horses will not take part.
The PSA says none of Jooste's horses are currently registered with the National Horseracing Authority (NHRA). Organisers Gold Circle Horse Racing has also confirmed the horses will not race on Saturday.
"We believe that Markus Jooste cannot continue benefiting in any way until his issues with relation to Steinhoff are dealt with," the PSA's Tahir Maepa said on Wednesday.
Jooste parted ways with the luxury goods retailer in 2017 over allegations of corruption, which saw the company's share prices plummet.
"Our members lost over R17bn in pension fund investment through Steinhoff," said Maepa. "We believe that Markus Jooste and all the directors of Steinhoff need to be held accountable."
However, the NHRA CEO Lyndon Barends told Jacaranda FM News that Jooste's horses were never going to feature in the race.
"Mr Jooste has been de-registered months ago so therefore he in his personal capacity could not enter any horses for the Durban July," explained Barends. "So that was never an issue even under discussion, at all."
He added, given the fact that Jooste has been de-registered as a member no horse, including those partly-owned by Jooste or belonging to Mayfair Speculators, can feature in the event.