Moorosi Tsiane
Outgoing Bantu coach Motlatsi Shale has reported the Mafeteng-based outfit to the Premier League Management Committee for alleged breach of contract.
Shale joined Bantu at the start of the 2013/14 season and helped A Matšo Matebele to their first premier league title on debut, while also winning the Independence Cup.
However, the former Likhopo striker failed to defend both the league and Independence titles last season, but won the Top8 championship.
With his one-year deal with the club set to expire at the end of this month, Bantu decided against renewing Shale’s contract, with media reports suggesting former LCS coach Katiso Mojakhomo would be leading the team next season.
Shale is, however, not taking the issue lightly and has reported Bantu to the league management for breach of contract.
“I submitted my contractual dispute with Bantu to the Premier League Management Committee last week and I am still waiting to hear from them,” Shale on Friday told the Sunday Express.
“Bantu management should have alerted me that they were looking for a new coach instead of signing someone when we still had a contract that runs until the end of this month. The only reason they are not revealing the name of their new coach is because they are aware of the mess they have created so they are waiting until my contract ends, to unveil him,” said Shale.
“I submitted my report of the season to the club and the management said they were satisfied with my work even though we did not win the league championship.”
The former national team striker said he felt “betrayed” that Bantu decided to employ a new coach while he still had a contract with them. This, he noted, was breach of contract, hence his decision to approach the premiership management for mediation.
“There is no bad blood between me and Bantu and in football anything can happen, which means I might find myself back at the club one day, but this issue has to be handled the right way first,” said Shale, who said he had not been approached by any club for his services.
On his part, Bantu team manager, Jafta Thamae, on Friday told the Sunday Express when contacted for comment: “I have only heard about the issue through various media so to us, it is just a rumour. Nothing official has been brought to our attention as a club, which is why I cannot comment about it,” said Thamae.
Confirming Shale’s complaint, premier league general manager, Baitsi Motsamai, said: “We received Shale’s letter this week but we are still to call both parties to discuss the matter. Until we do, I cannot comment further on the matter.”
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