The reasons behind Phumlani Dube’s resignation as marketing manager for the PSL team AmaZulu, which had been kept secret until now, have been unearthed like skeletons.
At the time of his departure in December, Dube was facing serious allegations of gender-based violence (GBV). On December 12, while on club duty at the FNB Stadium, he allegedly assaulted a female colleague at the Durban-based team.
AmaZulu played Mamelodi Sundowns in the one-day Carling Black Label Cup football tournament. The two players were part of the club’s contingent.
Masandwana defeated Usuthu, 3-0.
The incident was not reported to the police as management intervened and Dube and the woman reached a truce.
According to Sunday World sources, AmaZulu players are aware of the incident but have been instructed to keep it quiet because management has decided to relieve Dube from his duties and retain the woman’s services.
According to one of our sources, Dube and the woman had a work-related disagreement during which Dube lost his temper and allegedly hit the woman.
“Remember that Dube and [club president Sandile] Zungu are Umlazi natives. “Zungu had to make a decision because he had to protect the club’s and Dube’s and the woman’s reputations,” a source told us.
A month after the event, Dube announced via social media that he was retiring from the club.
“Special appreciation to club president Sandile Zungu for his unwavering support. Goodbye AmaZulu FC. You will be in my heart forever, and I will never forget the great experiences and memories we shared over the past two years. It was a remarkable trip.”
The woman, who is known to Sunday World, was contacted for remark at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday, when AmaZulu announced their technical staff. She refused to speak and became furious, declaring that the newspaper may publish whatever it felt appropriate. When the Sunday World called her on Friday, she responded, “I am at work and unwilling to discuss this further.”
Dube dissociated himself from the GBV charges, stating that he had clean hands.
“I made no mistakes. I have a 23-year-old daughter and a four-year-old fiancée. I never physically touch them. I cannot defeat a stranger I met on the street. I have never even struck a man.
“I am unable to comment as my attorneys are handling the situation.”
»AmaZulu’s Dube resigns when allegations of GBV surface«