Lorch: What Orlando Pirates star’s suspended sentence means

Orlando Pirates midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch, 30, has been handed a three-year direct imprisonment order which has been suspended for five years for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Fundiswa Nokuphiwa Mathithibala in 2020.

The Bucs footballer appeared at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 21 November where he was also fined R100 000.

ALSO READ: ‘A whole superstar?’: Lorch’s salary at Orlando Pirates shocks fans

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR LORCH?

According to Legal Wise, when someone is handed a suspended sentence it is placed on hold completely or partly for a period not longer than five years. A suspended sentence may be subject to certain conditions, for example, that a person is not allowed to commit a similar criminal offence during the suspension of his or her sentence.

ALSO READ: Pitso Mosimane moving to Kaizer Chiefs – The benefits

Should the accused break any of the conditions the suspended sentence is subject to, the full sentence will be put in force and the accused will then have to go to jail.

In the case of the Pirates midfielder, he should not be convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm for five years. Should he break this condition within the five-year period, his case will be revoked and he will be imprisoned for three years.

ALSO READ: Thembinkosi Lorch’s ex-girlfriend: Who is Nokuphiwa Mathithibala?

WHERE WILL THE R100 000 FINE GO?

Lorch was also ordered to pay R100 000 to a gender-based violence (GBV) organisation called People Opposing Women Abuse.

His first payment of R50 000 must be made on the day of sentencing, thereafter, he is expected to settle the balance in tranches of R10 000 every month.

ALSO READ: Not Natasha’s baby daddy? Lorch mentions only 2 kids in sentence plea

LORCH’S ARREST

On 6 June, Lorch – who is affectionately known as Nyoso – was found guilty of assaulting Mathithibala, in September 2020. The footballer was arrested in the same month and granted immediate bail in the amount of R2 000.

The details presented in the charge sheet revealed that Mathithibala had visited Lorch at his Midrand residence where he later left her alone and went out with friends. Upon arrival, an argument ensued, resulting in the soccer star assaulting and strangling her.

ALSO READ: Inside Lorch’s eviction order, R140K loan from ex-girlfriend

According to NPA spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane, State prosecutor – Michele Hart – argued that the medical evidence corroborated the evidence of the complainant.

“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.”