PH
Thembinkosi Lorch of the Orlando Pirates has been suspended from all club activities until December 12, 2023.
Lorch received the ban after being found guilty of beating his ex-girlfriend, Fundiswa Mathithibala, in a domestic violence incident in 2020 by a Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
He allegedly slapped and choked his ex-girlfriend when she inquired about his whereabouts after he disappeared. They had intended to go out together. Lorch was found guilty of assault in July by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
Lorch appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, November 21, and was sentenced to five years in prison with a five-year suspended sentence and fined R100,000.
In response to the decision, the Orlando Pirates stated that it has taken a strong stand against gender-based violence and would not allow any sort of abuse from its players or personnel.
The statement read;
“The club handles the administration of justice in a manner that avoids double jeopardy – where the players would be punished twice for the same offence. The above are consistent with the club values without which the club would not function judiciously. Having said that, the club has removed Thembinkosi Lorch from all club activities until 12 December.”
Lorch is one of Orlando Pirates’ most significant players, having won the PSL Footballer of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year accolades in 2019. He has also played 13 times for South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana.
