Peter Ndlovu displayed indecent photographs of a woman: Twalumba

Former Zimbabwe international striker Peter Ndlovu is embroiled in a bitter wrangle with his former employers, Twalumba Holdings who terminated his contract for alleged breach of contract.

Twalumba, owners of a Division One side, Highfield United recently terminated the former Highlanders players' contract after accusing him of absenting himself from duty without the consent of the company, using bad language to players and the technical team and allegedly dragging his feet in arranging a testimonial match.

Twalumba also alleged that Ndlovu displayed some indecent photographs of a woman.

But Ndlovu's lawyer Harrison Nkomo of Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners recently wrote to Twalumba dismissing the allegations and demanding more than US$65 000 in outstanding fees for the player. Ndlovu says Twalumba owes him $55 000 as signing on fees, $5 000 as outstanding salary for the months of May and June and $7 500 as salary in lieu of three months notice.

The former Sundowns player wants Twalumba to pay him R15 000 which he claims he incurred in maintaining his vehicle and to pay all outstanding petrol allowance from January to September this year. The lawyers say failure to pay up would leave them with no option but to approach the High Court on an urgent basis to recover the outstanding amounts.

"Our instructions are that all allegations levelled against our client are specifically denied. It is shocking that you have taken the position of unilaterally terminating an employment of contract without according our client a hearing. This, you must be advised is against all the principles of natural justice which are coincidentally provided for in the Labour Act of Zimbabwe...Be also advised that our client reserves the right to sue for unlawful and premature termination of the contract of employment without a hearing," said Nkomo in his letter to Twalumba.

Ndlovu entered into a 12 months contract with Twalumba in January where Ndlovu was to paid US$2 500 per month. Twalumba was also supposed to pay Ndlovu US$55 000 or buy him a house of the same value.

Ndlovu joined Twalumba's sponsored Northern Region Division One soccer outfit Highfield United early this year after coming out of retirement. He was immediately loaned to premiership side Black Mambas, who were coached by his brother Madinda, who has since left the Harare-based club.

Ndlovu joined Coventry City in the English Premier League in 1991 from Highlanders and later played for Birmingham City, Huddersfield and Sheffield United. He was lured to Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa in 2004 and also turned out for Thanda Royal Zulu.