Delhi: Another big case related to cricket betting has come to light in South Africa. The country’s crime investigation agency Hawks has arrested three former cricketers involved in alleged match-fixing during the 2015/16 domestic T20 Ram Slam Challenge. These players include Athi Mbalathi (43), Thami Tsolekile (44), and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (40). The arrests of all three took place at different times earlier this month.
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The Hawks began investigating allegations made by a whistleblower in 2016. Investigation revealed that former cricketer Ghulam Bodi had tried to influence the results of three T20 matches by contacting several players. According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, Mbalathi has already appeared in the Pretoria Specialized Commercial Crime Court. The next hearing of this case will be on 20 February 2025.
Facing five charges of corruption
Colonel Mogale said Tsolekile and Tsotsobe have been charged with five counts under the Prevention and Control of Corruption Act (PRECCA), 2004. Both were produced in Pretoria Court on 29 November 2024, where the hearing was adjourned till 26 February 2025.
Ghulam Bodi has already been punished
This matter came to light in 2016 when anti-corruption officials of Cricket South Africa informed about the suspicious activities of former player Ghulam Bodi. Investigation revealed that Bodi was conspiring with Indian bookies to influence the results of local T20 matches. After being arrested in 2018, Bodi pleaded guilty to eight counts. In October 2019, he was sentenced to five years in prison.
records of cricketers
Of the three arrested players, only Lonwabo Tsotsobe played for the South African national team. He played 5 Tests (9 wickets), 61 ODI (94 wickets), and 23 T20 (18 wickets) matches. Tsotsobe took 22 wickets in 3 Tests and 7 in 10 ODIs against India. His last match was in the semi-finals of the 2014 T20 World Cup. At the same time, Mbhalati and Tsolekile remained limited to only first class and List A cricket.
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