The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Cape Town on 26 July 2019, Apprentice Sandile Mbhele was charged with a contravention of Rule 77.1.1 read with Rule 77.2.11, in that as a Licenced Apprentice, a urine sample submitted by him at the Kenilworth Race Meeting on 24 April 2019, disclosed upon analysis the presence of a banned substance, namely Furosemide.

Apprentice S Mbhele, assisted by Riding Master T Welch, pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Inquiry Board accepted his plea and found Apprentice Mbhele guilty as charged. After considering all evidence led at this Inquiry, in particular the extensive mitigating evidence advanced, his record with regard to banned substances and precedent penalties for this particular banned substance, the Inquiry Board imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of 14 days. Furthermore, the Inquiry Board restricted Apprentice Mbhele to a 51kg nett riding weight, which is effective following his last engagement as published in the official race card. His weight will be monitored in future.

Apprentice S Mbhele was given the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.