Orland Pirates midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch will have to wait a little longer to know his fate. This is after his sentencing was postponed once again to October. Thembinkosi was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Fundiswa Nokuphiwa Mathithibala in 2020. The judgment has been postponed due to needing more time. His defense was also not ready to proceed. 

GUILTY

Thembinkosi appeared at the Randburg Magistrates Court on Monday, 4 September and he will appear again on Monday, 9 October. State prosecutor, Michelle Hart informed his legal team that they requested a postponement for consultation with the accused regarding the pre-sentencing report. 

THE ASSAULT

In 2020, Fundiswa laid an assault charge against her ex-lover at the Midrand Police Station. Orlando Pirates found that Lorch had been "charged with serious misconduct" after internal investigations and they imposed a sanction of a monetary fine and ordered him to "undergo anger management therapy." After being arrested, he was released on R2 000 bail. According to reports, Fundiswa visited Lorch at his Midrand residence, only to be left alone as he ventured out with friends. Upon his return, an altercation erupted between the two, and it turned violent.

HIS TEAM

Orlando Pirates acknowledged the decision handed down by the Randburg Magistrate Court regarding the assault matter. "As a Club, we reiterate our stance against violence perpetrated against women and children and as a result when this matter came to light in 2020, the Club carried out its own investigation," the club stated. "We currently do not have the full details of the conviction or the sentencing date and have requested Mr Lorch to provide these details," the statement further read. Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman, Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed the postponement to ZiMoja, saying the defense was not yet ready to proceed.