Mamelodi Sundowns have placed their women's team's coach Jerry Tshabalala on suspension over allegations of sexual harassment of his players.
The 44-year-old Tshabalala, who has been in charge of Sundowns's women's team for well over a decade, has been accused of a number of allegations, including making inappropriate sexual comments to his players, as well as entering the dressing room and refusing to leave while players are completely naked.
In a statement released on Saturday, Sundowns said they had appointed law firm, Bowmans, to investigate the allegations.
Mamelodi Sundowns instructs top law firm to investigate allegations of improper conduct by the Coach of its Ladies Team
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) December 21, 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/uv4NJ2Puui
"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," the club said in their statement.
"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," the statement concluded.
Under Tshabalala, Sundowns have been a dominant force in women's football in South Africa and on the continent.
Since he took over in 2012, the club have won seven domestic league titles, as well as two CAF Women's Champions League crowns. The club, however, failed to advance beyond the group stages of this year's competition after finishing third in Group B.
IOL Sport