NEWMARKET Stables Riding School head coach, Nadine Parker, says they are not going anywhere, despite reports suggesting they will face hefty legal costs for their defiance of an eviction notice issued by the city last month. The Stables, which have been a fixture of Durban’s equestrian landscape for almost a hundred years, had been given a month’s notice to vacate the premises to make way for a R300-million soccer academy.

The new venture will also affect the popular flea market, which supports around 270 vendors, and the Cyril Geoghegan Cycle Stadium. Plans are for the facility to be constructed over a three-year period.

Parker said, contrary to reports, that there has been no communication from the city since a meeting on 3 August. She added that tenants would not move until the city obtained a court order instructing them to vacate.

“The city manager showed up 45 minutes late for the meeting, could only offer us 15 minutes of his time and was not able to answer any of our questions as to the future of the stables. Since then, we’ve had no contact apart from what I’ve read in the newspapers. The hefty fine threat was a way to frighten us, but we’re staying where we are and carrying on as normal.

“The city can take the legal route if they want. There is no alternative arrangements for us or for the 48 horses, four of which cannot be re-homed because of their age, and may have to be euthanised. Every yard is full, there is nowhere else for us,” she said.

There has been no response from the city manager despite repeated attempts.

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