Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates football star Thembinkosi Lorch was on Tuesday sentenced in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court for beating his then-girlfriend Fundiswa Nokuphiwa Mathithibala.
Luckily for the popular footballer, the court suspended the accused’s three-year prison sentence for five years on the condition that he would not be found guilty of committing a similar offence during that time.
The court also ordered Lorch to pay a fine of R100 000, which would be donated to the non-governmental organisation, People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA).
The court insisted that Lorch pay at least R50 000 “immediately” and the balance in instalments.
The sentencing ends a long-running matter that was first reported in September 2020, when Mathithibala laid a complaint of assault at the Midrand Police Station.
She told the police thar Lorch beat her up when she visited his house in Midrand.
The complaint led to the arrest of Lorch on 7 September 2020.
The talented footballer was subsequently released on bail of R2 000.
Narrating events in court that led to the assault, Mathithibala said she was visiting Lorch when he left her at his home to go out with his friend.
Mathithibala recounted how she sent Lorch a message on her phone asking him to return her car keys as it was getting late.
She said when Lorch returned, an argument ensued and he became violent towards her.
He choked and beat her. She called for help and his friend came to her rescue.
Prosecutor Michele Hart told the court that the medical evidence corroborated the evidence of the complainant.
The accused did not have any injuries, which meant that he was the aggressor.
However, the accused and his witness did not create a good impression in court as they were found to be non-credible witnesses.
