CCMA, drinking culture and GBV: Inside AmaZulu and Dube’s feud

Amazulu football club are embroiled in a legal battle with their former marketing manager, Phumlani Dube.

The radio personality and fitness enthusiast has reportedly taken the Durban-based soccer team – which is owned by multi-millionaire Sandie Zungu – to the CCM for unfair dismissal.

ALSO READ: New AmaZulu signing: Sandile Zungu and wife expecting first baby

UNFAIR DISMISSAL, ABUSE AND DRINKING CULTURE

At the core of their feud are gender-based violence (GBV) allegations levelled against Dube by an Amazulu employee.

Dube was reportedly fired by the club in November last year after he was accused of assaulting his female colleague in Johannesburg during a match that featured Usuthu in the Carling Black Label Cup.

ALSO READ: Sandile Zungu net worth: AmaZulu boss’ education, wife and more

However, Dube refutes these claims. In his interview on Marawa Sports Worldwide (MSW) last week, he claimed he was unfairly dismissed even after proving during a hearing with the club that he was innocent.

The former Ukhozi FM and Gagasi presenter further claimed that the club has an out-of-control ‘drinking culture’.

“The drinking culture is a big problem at the club. Colleagues were drinking pretty much all day at the Carling Black Label Cup,” he said in the interview.

ALSO READ: Nota Baloyi forced to apologise to AmaZulu FC’s Sandile Zungu

BRANDON TRUTER CORROBORATES DRINKING CLAIMS

The drinking claims were corroborated by Sekhukhune United coach, Brandon Truter, who is a former Amazulu coach.

“Yes, it’s true. I am not going to lie for anybody, players came to training drunk and I had to deal with it at one stage, so whoever said it is right,” he told SABC Sport.

He continued: “I think it’s their mindset and attitude. There are some rotten individuals in there, within that squad – I have first-hand experience of that.”

ALSO READ: ‘AmaZulu boss dumped me’: ‘RHOD’s’ Slee opens up [photos]

AMAZULU TAKING LEGAL ACTION

Dube revealed on his Facebook page that AmaZulu have served him with court papers.

“I have received a letter of demand from attorneys acting on behalf of AmaZulu FC formally demanding that I publicly retract the remarks I made about the club during my press briefing, as well as on the Marawa Sports Worldwide radio show, last week.

“I have also been instructed to offer a written apology to AmaZulu on or before Wednesday 3 May 2023 or face High Court action. I have handed the said letter over to my attorneys to look into it.”

Dube said that he is happy with the club’s decision “as these matters will now be ventilated in an open court of law and evidence given.”

He added: “An appropriate response will be given soon. Otherwise, I will not retract my comments and I will not apologise for anything as there is nothing to apologise for. Speaking the truth is not a crime. That’s all I can say for now.”