Former South African players Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thamsanqa Tsolekile and Ethy Mbhalati have been arrested by the Priority Crime Investigation Directorate. This comes after the trio were involved in a match-fixing scandal during the 2015/2016 T20 Ram Slam Challenge.
According to Cricbuzz reports, Ethy Mbhalati is known to have been taken into police custody on November 18, while Tsolekile and Tsotsobe were arrested on November 28 and 29, respectively. DPCI’s Serious Corruption Investigation unit was involved in an extensive investigation and hence, they decided to arrest the trio.
Former South African players Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thamsanqa Tsolekile and Ethy Mbhalati appeared before the Specialized Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria.
Ethy Mbhalati slipped away a bit after appearing before the Specialized Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria. His case involving match-fixing has been postponed to next year. The case was taken to February 20, 2025 for further instructions.
Separately, Tsolekile and Tsotsobe were charged with five counts of corruption under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 2004 (PRECCA). His case was heard on Friday (November 29) and was adjourned until February 26, 2025 for disclosure.
Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thamsanqa Tsolekile and Ethy Mbhalati were found guilty of match-fixing after they were convinced by former South African player Gulam Bodi. Speculations about the same were raised by Cricket South Africa’s anti-corruption officer and investigation was carried out.
It was revealed that Bodi dealt with Indian bookers and approached the players to manipulate three Ram Slam T20 matches. The Priority Crime Investigation Directorate then arrested the former South Africa national cricket team player in July 2018.
Jean Symes and Pumi Matshikwe were involved in match-fixing along with Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thamsanqa Tsolekile and Ethy Mbhalati.
Gulam Bodi pleaded guilty to eight counts of corruption and was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison in October 2019. He not only convinced Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thamsanqa Tsolekile and Ethy Mbhalati, but also some players to fix matches.
Jean Symes was also part of the scandal. He was arrested in May 2021, pleaded guilty to one charge of corruption and received a four-year sentence (fully suspended for five years). The other name in the saga is that of Pumi Matshikwe, arrested in February 2022 on similar charges and sentenced to six years in prison (with a total suspension of five years).
We thank Cricket South Africa for their cooperation and commitment to tackling this scourge – DPCI National Head, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya
The National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, made a strong statement, saying that they are committed to maintaining fairness and professionalism. He also thanked Cricket South Africa for their cooperation.
“Corruption undermines the integrity of sport. The Hawks are committed to upholding fairness and professionalism in all spheres of society. We thank Cricket South Africa for their cooperation and commitment to tackling this scourge.”
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