Thembinkosi Lorch, a prominent South African soccer player, has been convicted of assaulting and strangling his ex-girlfriend, Fundiswa Nokuphiwa Mathithibala.

The verdict was delivered by the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on June 6, 2023. Lorch, 30 years old and a member of the Orlando Pirates team, was found guilty of assault with intent to cause bodily harm against Mathithibala.

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The incident occurred on September 6, 2020, at Lorch’s residence in Midrand.

According to Mathithibala’s account, an argument ensued when she asked Lorch for her car keys, leading to a violent assault in which Lorch strangled and beat her.

The court noted that the medical evidence supported Mathithibala’s testimony. Lorch’s sentencing is scheduled for July 28, 2023.