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The Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng found Orlando Pirates player Thembinkosi ‘SMS’ Lorch guilty of abusing his girlfriend.
The case stems from a complaint filed with the Midrand Police Department by his girlfriend in September 2020, which resulted in his arrest and subsequent release on R2000 bond.
Lorch was detained on September 7, 2020, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), following an incident on September 6, 2020, at his apartment in Midrand.
Fundiswa Nokuphiwa Mathithibala, Lorch’s lover, claimed she was visiting him when he left her at his house to go out with a friend.
Mathithibala realized it was becoming late and texted him to ask him to return her car keys. Lorch turned violent towards her upon her arrival, strangling her and beating her while pulling her up and down. She shouted for assistance, and his friend came to her aid.
The NPA’s Gauteng spokeswoman, Phindi Mjonondwane, stated that the State prosecutor, Michele Hart, contended that the medical findings corroborated the complainant’s claims. The accused had no injuries, indicating that he was the aggressor. The accused and his witness made a poor impression in court and seemed to be untrustworthy witnesses.
The case was postponed to 28 July 2023, for sentencing proceedings.