The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, have arrested former Proteas players Thamsanqa Tsolekile and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, along with former first-class cricketer Ethy Mbhalati, in connection with a match-fixing scandal.
The three former cricketers have been arrested in connection with alleged match fraud which took place during the 2015/2016 domestic season of the T20 Ram Slam Challenge.
The three former players were arrested on November 18, 28, and 29 respectively.
The players are accused of fixing at least three matches.
According to the Hawks, they have conducted a "meticulous investigation by the Serious Corruption Investigation, following allegations reported by a whistleblower in October 2016" which revealed that the they were approached by former Protea player Gulam Bodi to fix three T20 Ram Slam matches.
Bodi was arrested in 2018, pleaded guilty to a single count of corruption, and was sentenced to four years in prison. His sentence fully suspended for five years.
Mbhalati appeared in the Pretoria Specialized Commercial Crimes Court, with the case postponed to February 20, 2025 for further instructions.
Meanwhile, Tsolekile and Tsotsobe have each been charged with five counts of corruption under Section 15 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (PRECCA).
The pair have already appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday, where their case was adjourned until 26 February 2025 for the disclosure process.
Hawks head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, thanked Cricket South Africa for cooperation in the investigation and commended the team for their efforts in tacking corruption.
"Corruption undermines the integrity of sport, and the Hawks are determined to safeguard the values of fairness and professionalism in all areas of society. We thank Cricket South Africa for their cooperation and commitment to addressing this scourge."
IOL