Pretoria, South Africa – Three former South African cricketers have been arrested by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Unit in connection with a match-fixing scandal involving the 2015/2016 domestic T20 Ram Slam Challenge.
The accused, Ethy Mbhalati (43), Thami Tsolekile (44), and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (40), are facing charges related to corruption under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA), 2004.
Court Proceedings
Ethy Mbhalati:
Mbhalati appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court earlier this week. His case has been postponed to 20 February 2025 for further instructions from the prosecution.Thami Tsolekile and Lonwabo Tsotsobe:
Tsolekile and Tsotsobe were charged with five counts of corruption. They appeared in the same court on 29 November 2024, where their case was postponed to 26 February 2025 to allow for disclosure of evidence.
Case Background
The allegations of match-fixing first came to light following an internal investigation by Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Anti-Corruption Unit. The matter was escalated to law enforcement when evidence suggested that players had conspired to manipulate match outcomes for financial gain during the T20 tournament.
CSA’s Commitment to Integrity
Cricket South Africa issued a statement reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, emphasizing its commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport.
“We will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served and the sanctity of cricket is preserved,” the statement read.
Next Steps
The Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are continuing their investigations, with additional disclosures expected in the coming months.
Public Outcry
The arrests have sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, reigniting conversations about corruption in professional sports and the need for stringent measures to deter such acts.
The accused are expected to remain out on bail pending further court appearances.
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