Steve Lekoelea weighs in on Thembinkosi Lorch leaving Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates’ Thembinkosi Lorch. Photo: Orlando Pirates FC

Orlando Pirates release statement on Lorch’s conviction!

Orlando Pirates have released an official statement on Thembinkosi Lorch after being found guilty of assault on Tuesday.

Steve Lekoelea weighs in on Thembinkosi Lorch leaving Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates’ Thembinkosi Lorch. Photo: Orlando Pirates FC

Orlando Pirates have released an official statement on Thembinkosi Lorch after being found guilty of assault on Tuesday.

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Lorch had an assault case opened against him by then girlfriend Fundiswa Mathithibala in early September 2022.

Following his arrest on 7 September 2020, the Pirates talisman was granted R2 000 bail, and he was subsequently immediately.

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Now, Lorch is waiting for his sentencing which is scheduled for 28 July, and Pirates have acknowledged the news.

Pirates have further condemned Lorch’s actions as the country continues to fight violence perpetrated against women and children.

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Orlando Pirates Lorch
Thembinkosi Lorch in action for Orlando Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs. Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix.

ORLANDO PIRATES STATEMENT ON LORCH

Orlando Pirates Football Club notes the decision handed down by the Randburg Magistrate Court regarding Mr Thembinkosi Lorch on Tuesday.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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 so that he could go through a diversion programme. He further advised that he was attending therapy with Dr. Nomsa Nkuna-Boikanyo as part of his rehabilitation. The Club approved that he completes therapy with Dr Nkuna-Boikanyo instead of running a parallel process organised by the Club.

3. Mr Lorch informed us that he attended the anger management therapy and completed the prescribed number of sessions. Since then, Mr Lorch has not been involved any similar incident or an incident involving violence. We are confident that the anger management therapy were an appropriate corrective measure.

4. However, Mr Lorch’s representations to the DPP were not successful and the criminal proceedings continued. Today, 6 June 2023, Mr Lorch was found guilty of assault (gender-based violence) and will be sentenced in due course. We currently do not have the full details of the conviction and the sentencing date and have requested Mr Lorch to provide these details.

Orlando Pirates Football Club will not make any further comment until this process is complete.

ANDILE JALI SET FOR SENSATIONAL ORLANDO PIRATES

Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali is set for a sensational return to Orlando Pirates if local media reports are to be believed.

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According to a source known to FARPost, Pirates stand a good chance to sign Jali who spent four years with them between 2009 and 2013.

Jali is currently a free agent following his departure from Sundowns, and he’s been linked with several clubs including Stellenbosch FC, AmaZulu and Cape Town City.

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However, the publication reports that Pirates are in pole position to bring him back on a short-term deal come next season.

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