Three former South African cricketers have been arrested as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, has taken big steps to combat corruption in sports. They have recently arrested three former South African cricketers who were allegedly involved in match-fixing during the 2015/2016 domestic T20 Ram Slam Challenge.
3 ex-South Africa cricketers arrested for match-fixing
Ethy Mbhalati (43), Thami Tsolekile (44), and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (40) were arrested separately earlier this month.
The arrests stem from an investigation initiated by the Hawks following allegations made by a whistleblower in October 2016.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed that Mbhalati has already appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. The case has been adjourned to February 20, 2025.
“Tsolekile and Tsotsobe were both charged with five counts of corruption under Section 15 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (PRECCA). They both appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court today, 29 November 2024, where their case was postponed to 26 February 2025 for disclosure,” Mogale said, as quoted by The Citizen.
The initial investigation into match-fixing allegations emerged in 2016, when Cricket South Africa's anti-corruption officer reported suspicious activity involving former Proteas player Gulam Bodi.
According to Colonel Mogale, investigations uncovered evidence that Bodi had approached several players to manipulate the outcome of three local T20 matches. He was working in collaboration with bookmakers from India.
Bodi was subsequently arrested in July 2018 and pleaded guilty to eight counts of corruption. In October 2019, he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
“The other accused, Mr Jean Symes, who was arrested in May 2021, pleaded guilty to one count of corruption, and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years,” Mogale further stated.
“Whilst the third accused, Mr Pumi Matshikwe, who was arrested in February 2022, pleaded guilty to one count of corruption and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years,” he added.
Following allegations made by a whistleblower in October 2016, the Serious Corruption Investigation unit of the DPCI initiated an investigation into match-fixing in South African cricket.
Ethy Mbhalati has already appeared in court and the case has been postponed to February 20, 2025. Thami Tsolekile and Lonwabo Tsotsobe were both charged with five counts of corruption under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. They appeared in court on November 29th and the case was adjourned to February 26, 2025, for further disclosure.
Talking about the three cricketers who have been nabbed for match-fixing scandal, only Lonwabo Tsotsobe could make it to the South Africa's international side while Ethy Mbhalati and Thami Tsolekile were limited to First-Class and List A cricket.
Meanwhile, the ex-left-arm pacer Tsotsobe, featured in 5 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 23 T20Is for South Africa. He last played for the Proteas at the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2014, where South Africa made it to the semifinal.
