Orlando Pirates footballer Thembinkosi Lorch has been sentenced to a five-year suspended prison term and fined R100,000 for assaulting his girlfriend.
Lorch was found guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in June and faced additional charges under the Firearms Control Act.
In a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, the midfielder received a three-year direct imprisonment order, suspended for five years, on condition that he avoid any further convictions related to assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm during that period.
The court also ordered Lorch to pay R100,000 to People Opposing Women Abuse, a gender-based violence organization. The payment plan involves an initial R50,000 deposit, followed by monthly installments of R10,000 until the full amount is settled.
The assault case stems from an incident in September 2020 when Lorch’s then-girlfriend, Fundiswa Nokuphiwa Mathithibala, alleged that he strangled and beat her after an argument. Lorch was arrested and released on R2,000 bail.
Medical evidence supported Mathithibala’s account, and the National Prosecuting Authority emphasized Lorch’s role as the aggressor throughout the trial.
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With the court case over, the Bafana Bafana star can now focus on his playing career. Lorch recently returned from injury, picking two successive man of the match awards in the Carling Knockout Cup.
Orlando Pirates take on Richards Bay in their next assignment in the DStv Premiership at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.Â
Lorch will be looking to impress and get on the plane going to AFCON in January. Bafana coach Hugo Broos has often overlooked the talented attacker, but should he impress in the coming weeks, he could make the grade.