Orlando Pirates Suspend Thembinkosi Lorch Following the Outcome of His Legal Proceedings

• Orlando Pirates issued a statement following the sentencing of their prominent playmaker
• Thembinkosi Lorch was sentenced to a suspended three-year prison term for Assault GBH
• Gender-based violence activists have stated that the sentence is an insult to victims of abuse

The reprieve of the judge's gavel has given way to vexation for Thembinkosi Lorch.

Orlando Pirates announced that they would be suspending the player, if only for several weeks, while the club goes through their own process.

Lorch was found guilty of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm for an incident in 2020, and sentenced on November 21 to three years in prison, all of which were suspended for five years.

Explaining their delay in punishing Lorch since his guilty verdict in June, Orlando Pirates issued a statement reading:

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"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."

Lorch has played seven times for the Buccaneers this season, including two Man of the Match performances in the Carling Knockout Cup and an instrumental 90 minutes in the Soweto Derby.

The club may have felt pressure from women's rights activists who believe the sentence was too lenient.

Gender-based violence activist, Reverend June Dolley-Major vented at The Citizen, saying:

“It’s not only an insult to the victim but to all victims. 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. We need to be more victim-sensitive, regardless of who the perpetrator is."

As well as the suspended sentence, Lorch was fined R100,000, the equivalent of one of his Carling Knockout Cup Man of the Match rewards.

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He has been removed from club activities until December 12, and it shall be seen if he is to play again this year.

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Sports Brief recently reported on TS Galaxy midfielder, Thamsanqa Gabuza's arrest in Johannesburg.

The former Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United player is facing three charges relating to domestic violence.

Gabuza was released on R3000 bail after himself to the authorities the previous afternoon.