South Africa cricketers Lonwaba Tsotsobe, Thamsanqa Tsolekile and Ethy Mbhalati have been arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation for match-fixing charges.
They have been charged under section 15 of the Act, which relates to corrupt activities relating to sports events, including accepting or offering to accept any gratification from another person for engaging in any act which threatens to undermine the integrity of a sporting even influence the run of play.
The harges date back to the match-fixing saga surrounding the 2015-16 Ram Slam Challenge and three players are among seven who were banned by Cricket South Africa in 2016 and 17.
Gulam Bodi has already served time in prison while Jean Symes and Pumi Matshikwe were given suspended sentences after pleading huilty in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
The cases against Tsotsobe, Tsolekile and Mbhalati are postponed until February 2025.
Mbhalati was arrested on November 18 while Tsolekile and Tsotsobe were arrested on November 28 and 29 respectively.
The Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act came into effect in the aftermath of the Hansie Cronje match fixing scandal in 2000.
The charges have been laid following an investigation by the directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) known as the Hawks, a special branch of the South African Police Services that investigates organise and economic crime.
“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 addressing this scourge,” said Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.
During the time of initial investigation, CSA said none of the matches in the tournament were been involved in fixing after the conspirators’ plans were foiled.
It has since been established that Bodi, in collusion with bookmakersfrom India, approached several players to participate in fixing three matches in the tournament and also understood that none of the fixes actually took place.
Also read: ICC Anti Corruption Unit Head on Match Fixing Threat Over T20 Leagues
