Latest news with #RamSlam
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Former Proteas cricketer convicted in T20 match-fixing scandal
Former Proteas, Lions and Titans player Gulam Bodi was the first to be convicted and sentenced. A 43-year-old former Proteas cricketer has been convicted on a charge of corruption linked to the 2015–2016 T20 Ram Slam match-fixing scandal. Ntateko Ethy Mbhlati appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court this week, where he was found guilty of match fixing and sentenced. This brings to four the number of former players who have been convicted and sentenced in relation to the T20 match-fixing scandal. Match fixing In 2016, an anti-corruption official at Cricket South Africa (CSA) received information about allegations of match fixing by a former player. The former player approached several South African cricket players to participate in a scheme to fix three 2015 and 2016 T20 Ram Slam matches. A preliminary investigation revealed that at least six cricket players were approached by the former player and bookmakers from India to participate in the match-fixing scheme. On 26 October 2016, the anti-corruption unit at Cricket South Africa reported the matter to the Hawks' Serious Corruption investigation team for further investigation. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said that the successful investigation led to the arrest and conviction of three cricket players in 2018 and 2022. ALSO READ: Former SA cricket players arrested for match-fixing scandal Investigation 'On 18 November 2024, Mbhalati was arrested, and in the same month, both [Lonwabo] Tsotsobe and [Thami] Tsolekile were also apprehended. Mbhalati appeared in court on several occasions until his recent conviction. 'The court sentenced Mbhalati to five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of the same offence during the period of suspension, ' Mogale said. Other Proteas Mogale said Tsotsobe and Tsolekile's cases are still ongoing, and they will make their next appearance in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 2 October 2025. A former Proteas, Lions and Titans player, Gulam Bodi, was the first to be convicted in this case, receiving a five-year imprisonment sentence in October 2019, after he admitted to charges of attempting to fix matches in the same series. Bodi acted as an intermediary for international betting syndicates, approaching certain players with a view to engaging in fixing activities during the competition. ALSO READ: Former Lions cricketer Jean Symes sentenced for match-fixing
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pretoria court convicts 4th former Proteas player in T20 match-fixing scandal
Former Proteas cricketer Ntateko Ethy Mbhalati (43) has been convicted and sentenced by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on a charge of corruption linked to the 2015–2016 T20 Ram Slam match-fixing scandal. The court handed Mbhalati a five-year prison sentence, wholly suspended for five years, provided he does not commit a similar offence during the suspension period. His sentencing on Wednesday marks the fourth conviction in the high-profile investigation that has rocked South African cricket. In 2016, Cricket South Africa's Anti-Corruption Unit received a tip-off that a former national player had approached teammates and other players to participate in fixing T20 matches. A preliminary probe revealed that at least six players had been approached by the former player and bookmakers from India. The case was escalated to the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation team on October 26, 2016. Following extensive investigations, three players were arrested and convicted between 2018 and 2022. Mbhalati, arrested in November 2024, faced several court appearances before his conviction. That same month, fellow former cricketers Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Thami Tsolekile were also arrested. Their cases are ongoing, with the next court appearance scheduled for October. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
