By Victor Kanayo
A magistrate court has found South African footballer Thembinkosi Lorch guilty of strangling and assaulting of his former girlfriend Fundiswa Nokuphiwa Mathithibala.
The incident was said to have happened in September 2020.
The 30-year-old Lorch who plays for Orlando Pirates was arrested on September 7, 2020, after the incident was reported to the Midrand Police by his then-girlfriend.
He was later released on bail the following day.
According to a regional spokesperson for NPA who narrated the incident, “Fundiswa Nokuphiwa Mathithibala said she was visiting Lorch when he left her at his home to go out with his friend.
“Mathithibala saw that it was getting late and messaged him to return her car keys.
“On arrival, an argument ensued and Lorch became violent towards her and started to strangle her, beat her whilst pulling her up and down.
“She called for help and his friend came to her rescue.
He also said that the State prosecutor Michele Hart argued, “The accused did not have any injuries, which meant that he was the aggressor.
“The accused and his witness did not create a good impression in court and appeared to be not credible witnesses, and the case was postponed to July 23, 2023, for sentencing proceedings.”
