By Victor Kanayo
A magistrate court located in Johannesburg has handed South African footballer, Thembinkosi Lorch, a suspended jail sentence after he was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Fundiswa Nokuphiwa Mathithibala.
The jail term was announced on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.
The court said the Orlando Pirates player who will serve three years imprisonment, was found guilty of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The sentence was wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of committing a similar offence during the period of suspension.
He was further ordered to pay a fine of R100 000 to the non-governmental organisation, People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), with R50 000 payable immediately (today), and the balance in instalments.
His then girlfriend had filed a complaint with the Midrand Police in September 2020, which resulted in his arrest and subsequent release on bail of R2000.
Lorch was arrested on September 7, 2020, following an incident that happened at his place of residence in Midrand, on September 6, 2020.
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.
