Sentence proceedings for Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch have been postponed to 4 September. Lorch was found guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in June by the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.

THE ALLEGED ASSAULT

Lorch was arrested in September 2020 after his ex-girlfriend Nokuphiwa Mathithibala opened an assault case against the footballer at Midrand SAPS. It’s alleged that Mathithibala was visiting Lorch when he disappeared for hours, she confronted him when he came back and that led to him allegedly slapping, strangling and sitting on top of her while she lay helplessly on the ground. The court heard that had it not been for Lorch’s friend Mathithibala wouldn’t have gotten an opportunity to escape. After his arrest, Orlando Pirates issued a statement saying Lorch was receiving help to better manage his anger issues. "We condemn all forms of violence, especially violence against women and children. We support the rights of each and every individual but we strongly condemn violence. This country has witnessed some of the most appalling cases of GBV and we do not take this matter lightly, however, we need to respect the process undertaken by the authorities and allow the law to take its course," read the statement.

NPA CONFIRMS

NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that the case has been postponed to September for sentencing. "Unfortunately the court could not proceed because Mr Lorch and his defence were not ready with the pre-sentencing report because the accused was out of the country and they could not complete the process said," Mjonondwane. Lorch is currently out on R2 000 bail.