Sports Desk: Lonwabo Sotsobe, Thamsanka Solkile and Ethi Mbalati of South Africa have been arrested for their involvement in match-fixing. First, however, Mbalati was arrested (November 18). After that, Solkail was arrested on November 28 and Sotsobe on November 29.
3 South African cricketer
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, launched an investigation in October 2016 based on a news report. After a long investigation, they were found to be involved in match-fixing against a South African cricketer in the 2015/16 T20 Ram Slam tournament.
Mbalati's case has been adjourned until February 20 next year by the Specialized Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria. Besides, Sotsobe and Solkaile were also produced in court today. Five charges were filed against them under the Anti-Corruption Act. However, their case has also been adjourned till February 26 next year.
In the same tournament, former South African player Ghulam Bodhi tried to fix matches by players in three matches with Indian bookmakers. An anti-corruption officer in South Africa became suspicious of it. Hawks arrested Bodi in July 2018. He was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty on eight charges.
Gene Symes was involved in this scandal. He was sentenced to four years. Pumi Matshike was sentenced to six years in prison on similar charges. However, the sentences of both were suspended for five years.
Regarding the case of Sotsobe, Solkile and Mbalati, DPCI chief Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya said, 'Corruption destroys the integrity of the game. Hawks is committed to maintaining fairness and professionalism in all areas of society. We would like to thank Cricket South Africa for their cooperation and commitment to tackling this issue. '
Sotsobe played 89 matches for South Africa in a five-year career in international cricket. The left-handed pacer has taken 121 wickets in all three formats. Solkeil, however, only got to play 3 Tests for the Proteas. Mbalati is a well-known face in domestic cricket even though he could not step into international cricket.
