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The Bloemfontein-born star is charged with battery by his girlfriend and was reportedly arrested on Monday morning.
The Orlando Pirates have officially commented on the allegations facing star attacker Thembinkosi Lorch.
News of Lorch’s arrest broke on Monday with various publications, including Sunday World, revealing that the 27-year-old was arrested in the early hours of the same day.
According to Sunday World, Lorch allegedly assaulted his girlfriend Nokuphiwa Mathithibala on Sunday, just one day after the conclusion of the 2019-20 PSL season.
The publication reports that Lorch became angry after Mathithibala asked him his whereabouts.
He allegedly slapped and strangled her before leaving with his friend, leaving Mathithibala at the Midrand compound.
Lorch was reportedly taken into custody on Monday before appearing in court for a bond hearing for himself.
It is unclear at this time whether Lorch has been granted bail, but the Pirates said they will not comment further on the matter as it is before the law.
The Sea Robbers, however, said they oppose all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), especially against women and children.
Lorch was part of the Pirates team that beat Stellenbosch FC 1-0 on Saturday afternoon, lasting 79 minutes on the day.
He has appeared only three times with the Buccaneers since the season reset, and that’s because he was initially suspended by the club for violating bio-bubble protocols.
The South African international apologized for his actions and was allowed to return to the bio-bubble, but it remains to be seen what kind of action the club’s hierarchy will take once law enforcement has dealt with these new allegations against his attacking midfielder.
The Sea Robbers posted the following statement on their website:
Orlando Pirates Football Club is aware of an alleged incident involving Thembinkosi Lorch.
The incident is currently in the hands of the authorities. As a club, we cannot comment further, except to say that we condemn all forms of violence, especially against women and children.
We support the rights of each and every person, but we strongly condemn violence.
This country has witnessed some of the most egregious cases of GBV and we do not take this matter lightly, however we must respect the process undertaken by the authorities and allow the law to take its course.
