The club released a statement saying the dribbling wizard failed to report to training on the Tuesday after a Friday game against Cape Umoya United in Cape Town a few weeks ago.
TTM confirmed he was allowed to use the weekend to tend to family affairs but said his phone was off right up until the day he returned to training the following week, a few days later than required.
In an emotional interview with snl24.com/kickoff, Zongo has since given his side of the story regarding the reports of misconduct.
"The news that I went AWOL hurt me and my family so much. I could not understand the motive behind it," Zongo says.
"The fact of the story is that I spoke to the club four or five days before we left for Cape Town to play Cape Umoya to ask permission to stay behind because I wanted to attend traditional stuff to do with my daughter in Cape Town.
"You know the issue of cultural stuff can't finish in one day. It took a few more days than anticipated. I had to stay for more days in Cape Town.
"The only mistake I made was not communicating with the club. That was a mistake I made. I came back on a Friday night after landing at OR Tambo around 9pm because my flight left Cape Town at 7pm. I slept over in Johannesburg because there were no taxis to Limpopo.
"I was surprised with all the news that I have gone AWOL. The following day a friend drove me to Limpopo and I was shocked to find out that this had become a big issue.
"The statement [from TTM] that I went AWOL was blown out of proportion. As much as I was wrong, I believe it should have been handled in a better way than to ruin my reputation.
"Before that incident I never had any issues in the club. You can call them. With just one issue it's very sad that it can ruin all the hard work I have put in to bring back my career.
"This was the best chance to revive my career and I wouldn't allow one issue destroy everything. I have already started to enjoy my game and I'm happy doing what I love most, which is playing football.
"I am grateful to the people that still believe in me, that still support me. It's a process. I know during the journey I will face challenges. I will not give up. I will not despair.
"I don't have to prove myself by defending myself but I believe the best opportunity will find me in life."
Zongo was due to face the TTM Disciplinary Committee last week Friday but the hearing was postponed due to the national lockdown.
"I am not resting during this period but pushing hard even though training on your own is different from training with the team," adds the former South Africa under-20 star.