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PSL heavyweights Orlando Pirates have suspended midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch following his conviction by the Randburg Magistrate's court

A day after the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/thembinkosi-lorch-assault-case-court-fines-orlando-pirates-star-on-top-of-a-five-year-suspended-jail-sentence/blt552e9ad0afe51e8c" target="_blank">Randburg Magistrate's court sentenced Orlando Pirates attacker Thembinkosi Lorch</a> for assaulting former girlfriend Fundiswa Nokuphiwa Mathithibala, the club has also announced its punishment for the 30-year-old.On 21 November, the court sentenced Lorch to three years imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm for the incident that took place in September 2020. The national prosecuting authority said the sentence was wholly suspended for five years on the condition that Lorch is not found guilty of committing a similar offence during the period of suspension.He was also ordered to pay a fine of R100,000 to non-governmental organisation People Opposing Women Abuse (Powa).

WHAT HAPPENED

<a href="https://www.orlandopiratesfc.com/outcome-legal-proceedings-involving-thembinkosi-lorch.html" target="_blank">Parts of Pirates' statement read as follows</a>:"Pirates Football Club is at all times mindful of its obligation as a result of the employer-employee relationship it has with the players. The Club also handles the administration of justice in a manner that avoids double jeopardy – where the players would be punished twice for the same offence."The above are consistent with the club values without which the Club would not function judiciously. Having said that, the Club has removed Thembinkosi Lorch from all Club activities until December 12."

WHAT WAS SAID

While the legal process took its course and was well received in some quarters, there has been some outcry following Lorch's sentencing.<a href="https://www.citizen.co.za/news/gender-based-violence-activists-sentence-thembinkosi-lorch/" target="_blank">Speaking to The Citizen</a>, gender-based violence activist Reverend June Dolley-Major branded Lorch's sentencing as an "insult" as he suggested that the Pirates star was given a slap on the wrist."It is an insult to the victim for a five year suspended sentence and a fine. It’s like you are in a comedy or something; the judiciary doesn’t seem to realize the effects that violence has on a person. This is unacceptable. It was far too lenient," said Dolley-Major."It's not only an insult to the victim but to all victims. So, basically, people can say if you have money this is how you get away with it, you just pay a fine and as long as you don’t get caught again, you are fine. It is also difficult for victims to report the matter because they don’t really get justice," Dolley-Major added.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Lorch is set to miss out on a minimum of three matches from today until the expiry of his club suspension on December 12. Pirates face Richards Bay on November 25, Moroka Swallows on December 5, and TS Galaxy on December 9. The influential attacker, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/news/carling-knockout-semi-finals-or-r200-000-richer-thembinkosi-lorch-picks-one-after-orlando-pirates-cup-elimination/bltd29c4d410d1206a5" target="_blank">who has bagged a couple of Man of the Match performances </a>since his return from a lengthy lay off, will be expected to make his return against Golden Arrows on December 17.

WHAT'S NEXT

PSL heavyweights Orlando Pirates have suspended midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch following his conviction by the Randburg Magistrate's court | Goal.com South Africa

 Orlando Pirates have moved swiftly to punish convicted abuser Thembinkosi Lorch following the ruling by the Randburg Magistrate&apos;s court.

PSL heavyweights Orlando Pirates have suspended midfielder Thembinkosi Lorch following his conviction by the Randburg Magistrate&apos;s court