Pirates confirm Lorch 'pled guilty' in internal investigation, issued player with 'monetary fine'

Premier Soccer League (PSL) club Orlando Pirates say they sent star player Thembinkosi Lorch for anger management and issued him with a monetary fine after the player admitted guilt in assaulting his ex-girlfriend during an internal disciplinary inquiry. 

Lorch was found guilty of assault with intention to do grievous body harm by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after assaulting his then-girlfriend, Fundiswa Mathithibala. 

The case originated when Mathithibala filed a complaint at Midrand Police Station in September 2020.  

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Lorch became violent towards and strangled Mathithibala following an argument during which the Bafana Bafana forward beat her.  

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Lorch’s club released a statement on Wednesday saying they conducted an internal investigation into the matter during which the player pleaded guilty. 

Pirates then sanctioned him with a monetary fine and ordered him to undergo anger management therapy. 

"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," Pirates’ statement said. 

"Following our internal investigations, the Club charged Mr Lorch with serious misconduct. He pleaded guilty to the charge and the Club imposed a sanction of a monetary fine and ordered him to undergo anger management therapy.  

"Mr Lorch also informed the Club that he had instructed attorneys to assist him with the criminal charges against him and they intended to approach the Director of Public Prosecutions (“DPP”) to make representations regarding the charges against him