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"title": "Tsolekile, Mbhalati and Tsotsobe arrested by Hawks for match-fixing in 2015/2016 Ram Slam T20 competition",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former professional cricketers Ethy Mbhalati, Thami Tsolekile and Lonwabo Tsotsobe were arrested late last month and appeared in court for charges relating to a match-fixing scandal.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, made the arrests for various breaches of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) anti-corruption code during the 2015/16 Ram Slam T20 competition.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2487884 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/TL_1234674.jpg\" alt=\"Tsotsobe match fixing\" width=\"1064\" height=\"1383\" /> <em>Lonwabo Tsotsobe of the Highveld Lions during the Ram Slam T20 Challenge match between the Dolphins and Highveld Lions at Kingsmead in Durban on 4 November 2015. (Photo: Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-2487885 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/TL_1246861.jpg\" alt=\"Mbhalati match fixing\" width=\"1148\" height=\"1725\" /> <em>Ethy Mbhalati, formerly of the Titans. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The arrests come after a meticulous investigation by the Serious Corruption Investigation component of the DPCI, following allegations reported by a whistle-blower in October 2016,” The Hawks said in a statement.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The following arrests were effected:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“1) Mr Ethy Mbhalati (43) – arrested on 18 November 2024 on one charge of corruption. He appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and the matter was postponed to 20 February 2025 for further instructions.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“2) Mr Thamsanqa Tsolekile (44) – arrested on 28 November 2024 on five counts of corruption under Section 15 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (Precca).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“3) Mr Lonwabo Lennox Tsotsobe (40) – arrested on 29 November 2024 on five counts of corruption under Section 15 of Precca.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Tsolekile and Tsotsobe appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 29 November 2024. The case has been postponed to 26 February 2025 for disclosure.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The matter was first reported by CSA’s Anti-Corruption Officer after suspicions of match-fixing emerged involving former Protea player Gulam Bodi.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Investigations revealed that Mr Bodi approached several players to participate in fixing three T20 Ram Slam matches, working in collusion with bookmakers from India. In this case, the DPCI has achieved the following prior outcomes:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“1) Mr Gulam Bodi: Arrested in July 2018, pleaded guilty to eight counts of corruption, and sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment in October 2019.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“2) Mr Jean Symes: Arrested in May 2021, pleaded guilty to one count of corruption, and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“3) Mr Pumi Matshikwe: Arrested in February 2022, pleaded guilty to one count of corruption and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years.”</span>\r\n<h4><b>Attempts to discredit CSA</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsolekile has spent years trying to discredit CSA and the work of its anti-corruption unit (ACU) despite accepting a ban. It seems he is running out of options.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In plea bargains with the ACU, Tsolekile agreed to a 12-year ban for his role in match-fixing offences in the T20 Ram Slam competition. Tsolekile, along with Matshikwe, Mbhalati and Symes, were sanctioned on 8 August 2016.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsotsobe was also banned in 2017, as was former batter Alviro Petersen.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast bowler Matshikwe and batter Symes, who both played under Tsolekile for the Lions franchise, agreed to bans of 10 and seven years respectively.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former Titans fast bowler Mbhalati agreed to a 10-year ban.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsolekile, Mbhalati and Tsotsobe have complicated their cases after making several public claims – which have been debunked – that CSA’s investigation was racially motivated.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsolekile, Mbhalati, Petersen and Tstosobe were permitted to introduce their conspiracy theory during the 2021 Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) hearings, which was destroyed when ACU head Louis Cole and CSA’s external legal counsel, David Becker, took the stand.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-10-31-forensic-evidence-from-match-fixing-investigators-write-off-racism-claims-in-cricket/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forensic evidence from match-fixing investigators write off racism claims in cricket</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In August 2020, Tsolekile appeared as a guest on Robert Marawa’s radio show and claimed that CSA’s anti-corruption unit, led by respected Judge Bernard Ngoepe – a former Judge President and a former acting judge in the Constitutional Court – was guilty of targeting black players and of racial bias during the original investigation.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsolekile also claimed that he had not received the charges and was not presented with evidence, accusations with no basis in fact and which have since been dismissed.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ngoepe, who served as the independent chairperson of CSA’s anti-corruption unit, reacted firmly to Tsolekile’s assertions at the time.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The allegation that the investigation deliberately targeted black players must be rejected,”</span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-07-judge-ngoepe-hits-back-at-match-fixing-racism-claims/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ngoepe said in a statement</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Both white and black players were investigated and charged, based on the evidence that was collected and presented.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the allegation made by Tsolekile that he was not presented with any evidence and did not receive any charges, Ngoepe said: “This is not the truth. Mr Tsolekile received a formal charge sheet as is required under the code. He was also presented with extensive evidence in the presence of his lawyer.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ombudsman in the SJN hearings, Dumisa Ntsebeza SC, subsequently found that there was no basis for the claims of racial bias.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the latest arrests, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, National Head of the DPCI, commended the team for its unwavering commitment to tackling corruption, even in sectors where this often went unnoticed.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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.” </span><b>DM</b>",
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"name": "Ethy Mbhalati of Titans during day 2 of the Sunfoil Series match between bizhub Highveld Lions and The Unlimited Titans at Senwes Park on January 22, 2016 in Potchefstroom, South Africa. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images)",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former professional cricketers Ethy Mbhalati, Thami Tsolekile and Lonwabo Tsotsobe were arrested late last month and appeared in court for charges relating to a match-fixing scandal.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, made the arrests for various breaches of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) anti-corruption code during the 2015/16 Ram Slam T20 competition.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2487884\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1064\"]<img class=\"wp-image-2487884 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/TL_1234674.jpg\" alt=\"Tsotsobe match fixing\" width=\"1064\" height=\"1383\" /> <em>Lonwabo Tsotsobe of the Highveld Lions during the Ram Slam T20 Challenge match between the Dolphins and Highveld Lions at Kingsmead in Durban on 4 November 2015. (Photo: Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2487885\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1148\"]<img class=\"wp-image-2487885 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/TL_1246861.jpg\" alt=\"Mbhalati match fixing\" width=\"1148\" height=\"1725\" /> <em>Ethy Mbhalati, formerly of the Titans. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The arrests come after a meticulous investigation by the Serious Corruption Investigation component of the DPCI, following allegations reported by a whistle-blower in October 2016,” The Hawks said in a statement.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The following arrests were effected:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“1) Mr Ethy Mbhalati (43) – arrested on 18 November 2024 on one charge of corruption. He appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and the matter was postponed to 20 February 2025 for further instructions.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“2) Mr Thamsanqa Tsolekile (44) – arrested on 28 November 2024 on five counts of corruption under Section 15 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (Precca).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“3) Mr Lonwabo Lennox Tsotsobe (40) – arrested on 29 November 2024 on five counts of corruption under Section 15 of Precca.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Tsolekile and Tsotsobe appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 29 November 2024. The case has been postponed to 26 February 2025 for disclosure.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The matter was first reported by CSA’s Anti-Corruption Officer after suspicions of match-fixing emerged involving former Protea player Gulam Bodi.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Investigations revealed that Mr Bodi approached several players to participate in fixing three T20 Ram Slam matches, working in collusion with bookmakers from India. In this case, the DPCI has achieved the following prior outcomes:</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“1) Mr Gulam Bodi: Arrested in July 2018, pleaded guilty to eight counts of corruption, and sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment in October 2019.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“2) Mr Jean Symes: Arrested in May 2021, pleaded guilty to one count of corruption, and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“3) Mr Pumi Matshikwe: Arrested in February 2022, pleaded guilty to one count of corruption and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years.”</span>\r\n<h4><b>Attempts to discredit CSA</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsolekile has spent years trying to discredit CSA and the work of its anti-corruption unit (ACU) despite accepting a ban. It seems he is running out of options.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In plea bargains with the ACU, Tsolekile agreed to a 12-year ban for his role in match-fixing offences in the T20 Ram Slam competition. Tsolekile, along with Matshikwe, Mbhalati and Symes, were sanctioned on 8 August 2016.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsotsobe was also banned in 2017, as was former batter Alviro Petersen.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast bowler Matshikwe and batter Symes, who both played under Tsolekile for the Lions franchise, agreed to bans of 10 and seven years respectively.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former Titans fast bowler Mbhalati agreed to a 10-year ban.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsolekile, Mbhalati and Tsotsobe have complicated their cases after making several public claims – which have been debunked – that CSA’s investigation was racially motivated.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsolekile, Mbhalati, Petersen and Tstosobe were permitted to introduce their conspiracy theory during the 2021 Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) hearings, which was destroyed when ACU head Louis Cole and CSA’s external legal counsel, David Becker, took the stand.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-10-31-forensic-evidence-from-match-fixing-investigators-write-off-racism-claims-in-cricket/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forensic evidence from match-fixing investigators write off racism claims in cricket</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In August 2020, Tsolekile appeared as a guest on Robert Marawa’s radio show and claimed that CSA’s anti-corruption unit, led by respected Judge Bernard Ngoepe – a former Judge President and a former acting judge in the Constitutional Court – was guilty of targeting black players and of racial bias during the original investigation.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tsolekile also claimed that he had not received the charges and was not presented with evidence, accusations with no basis in fact and which have since been dismissed.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ngoepe, who served as the independent chairperson of CSA’s anti-corruption unit, reacted firmly to Tsolekile’s assertions at the time.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The allegation that the investigation deliberately targeted black players must be rejected,”</span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-07-judge-ngoepe-hits-back-at-match-fixing-racism-claims/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ngoepe said in a statement</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Both white and black players were investigated and charged, based on the evidence that was collected and presented.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the allegation made by Tsolekile that he was not presented with any evidence and did not receive any charges, Ngoepe said: “This is not the truth. Mr Tsolekile received a formal charge sheet as is required under the code. He was also presented with extensive evidence in the presence of his lawyer.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ombudsman in the SJN hearings, Dumisa Ntsebeza SC, subsequently found that there was no basis for the claims of racial bias.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the latest arrests, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, National Head of the DPCI, commended the team for its unwavering commitment to tackling corruption, even in sectors where this often went unnoticed.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“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.” </span><b>DM</b>",
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Lonwabo Tsotsobe of the Highveld Lions during the Ram Slam T20 Challenge match between the Dolphins and Highveld Lions at Kingsmead in Durban on 4 November 2015. (Photo: Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images)
Ethy Mbhalati, formerly of the Titans. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images)