Axed Dembare coach threatens legal action

FIRED Dynamos coach Herbert Maruwa has threatened to take legal action against the club for unfair dismissal.

Maruwa who replaced Tonderai Ndiraya at the start of the season, was shown the exit door on Tuesday, three months before the expiry of his contract which ends on November 30.

In terminating the contract, the ruthless Dynamos leadership said they had "agreed on mutual separation."

However, Maruwa yesterday disputed that the divorce was amicable.

In a letter to Dynamos chairperson Moses Maunganidze yesterday, Maruwa demanded to be reinstated to his position.

"By way of this letter, please retract your "mutual termination of contract of employment" statement you published to various media houses and other online forums dated 8th and 9th August 2023," Maruwa wrote.

"The public must know that there is no grain of truth in that statement. The inconsistencies and the contents thereto, are far from the truth. Let this be on record, there is no mutual agreement reached between us at this point. Whilst I don't want to interfere with the club's intention to disengage with me, the respect of our contractual obligation should continue to subsist to the end. It is not in dispute that as it stands, I'm the head coach of the club and my contract of employment is still active until November 30, 2023.

"Demand is hereby made pursuant to the spirit of respect and fairness that you immediately publish correction of the said information in substantially as conspicuous as was the above mentioned statement and in that said correction, I demand an apology.

"In the event that the correction is not made timely or within 48 hours, legal action will be commenced against you without further notice to you and the club. For the record, let it be known to the general public and the football loving family that negotiations to the termination is still in progress and my representatives are handling the matter on my behalf."

No comment could be obtained from Maunganidze last night.

Maruwa left at the time Dynamos had fallen nine points behind log leaders Highlanders after 18 rounds of matches.

He was employed by DeMbare after they sacked Ndiraya at the end of last season for failing to win the championship.

DeMbare has demanded nothing short of the title and a goalless draw against Hwange was the last straw to break the camel's back.

It is believed club legend Sunday Chidzambga is one of the main targets to succeed Maruwa. But for now, Genesis Mangombe, who was Maruwa's assistant, will preside over the team on a caretaker basis.

On Monday, Maruwa was advised not to report for training and was later informed that his contract had been terminated.

In a statement, the club said that the move was necessitated by the team's position at the halfway stage of the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

"Dynamos Football Club and head coach Herbert Maruwa have agreed on mutual separation. The mutual separation, which is with immediate effect, has been occasioned by the team's performance as at the 2023 season's halfway mark," the statement read.

"Both parties agreed that the mutual separation will be in the best interests of Dynamos Football Club and the head coach."

Under Maruwa's watch, Dynamos played 18 league matches, where they collected 29 points after suffering just three defeats, winning seven, with the rest ending in draws.

At the halfway stage last season, Dynamos had collected 34 points and they were six less this term.

Dynamosa also suspended team manager Richard Chihoro and second assistant coach Murape Murape for misconduct.