South African coach for Mamelodi Sundowns ladies FC, Jerry Tshabalala has been accused of sexual misconduct.
SABC sports reports that various sources including players and staff, spoke to the public broadcaster on condition of anonymity exposing the 44-year-old who is said have, among other serious allegations, been making sexual remarks to players and female staff, asking them how many times they shave their private parts and how their private parts look or is shaped.
He is also accused of walking in when players are changing in the changing room and refusing to leave the changing room, even when players are completely naked.
In response to the allegations, Sundowns says they have hired a law firm to investigate the matter while the coach has been sent on a special leave.
“The Board of Mamelodi Sundowns has been made aware of allegations of improper conduct that have been made by various women players against the Coach of its Ladies Team, Jerry Tshabalala,” the club said on Saturday.
“Mamelodi Sundowns views these allegations in a very serious light and has appointed a top law firm, Bowmans, to investigate these allegations and to report to the Board as soon as possible.
The statement further read, “Sundowns has, in the interim, put Coach Jerry Tshabalala on special leave pending the outcome of the investigation. This is not done to pre-empt the outcome of the investigation, but to ensure that the investigation can proceed expeditiously and protect the rights of all parties.
“In the event that the investigation establishes facts that warrant action, the Board will immediately take such steps as are appropriate.
“Mamelodi Sundowns will in due course make announcements on the findings of the investigation and the action to be taken.”
