'Be a good human being': Sundowns coach on how SA football can tackle gender-based violence

For South African football to make a meaningful contribution in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV), Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena believes that those involved in the game should focus more on developing good human beings instead of prioritising only producing good footballers. 

The beautiful game's role in the fight against GBV was thrust into the spotlight when Orlando Pirates forward Thembinkosi Lorch was convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend and sentenced to three years imprisonment.

But that imprisonment was wholly suspended for five years, with Lorch ordered to pay a fine of R100 000 to People Opposing Women Abuse, a women's rights organisation. Pirates suspended Lorch until 12 December, having previously conducted their own internal investigation that found him guilty of misconduct.

He was also ordered to pay a monetary fine by the club when he was found guilty of assault in June and underwent anger management therapy. 

While Lorch was being sentenced, TS Galaxy striker Thamsanqa Gabuza made his first appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, on charges of attempted rape and malicious damage to property. He was granted R3 000 bail.

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi told the Sowetan newspaper that Gabuza had handed himself to the police on Tuesday.

In 2021, Sundowns' Mothobi Mvala was accused of domestic abuse by his then fianceé, Palesa Botipe, who later dropped the charges early last year. Botipe told Soccer Laduma that she decided to withdraw the charges because Mvala admitted that he has a short temper and bad communication skills, and they were both seeking professional help while their daughter was seeing a child psychologist. 

READ|  Njabulo Ngidi |