Three former South African cricket players were recently arrested by the Hawks after being implicated in a match-fixing scheme during the 2015/2016 domestic T20 Ram Slam Challenge.

Ethy Mbhalati (43), Thamsanqa Tsolekile (44) and Lonwabo Lennox Tsotsobe (40) were arrested on November 18, 28 and 29 respectively.

Tsolekile and Tsotsobe are former Protea players, while Mbhalati played for Easterns.

[MATCH-FIXING] Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime arrested three (3) former South African cricket players, Ethy Mbhalati (43), Thamsanqa Tsolekile (44) and Lonwabo Lennox Tsotsobe (40), implicated in a match-fixing scheme during the 2015/2016 domestic T20 Ram Slam Challenge. pic.twitter.com/u6DigVl2MX

— South African Criminal Justice System (@RSA_CJS) November 29, 2024

According to a media statement by the Hawks, the arrests follow an investigation after a whistleblower reported allegations against the cricketers in October 2016.

Mbhalati appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and the matter was postponed to February 20.

Test cricket had Courtney Walsh and South African cricket had Ethy Mbhalati.
In 110 FC innings Ethy managed a total of 28 ducks, of which 9 were golden ducks and even managing 1 diamond duck! pic.twitter.com/iEaO52hRaD

— PowerPoint Girl (@Shaun_Analytics) July 29, 2018

Tsolekile and Tsotsobe were both charged with five counts of corruption under Section 15 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004. They both appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court today. Their case was postponed to February 26 for disclosure.

According to the Hawks, the matter was first reported by Cricket South Africa’s anti-corruption officer after suspicions of match-fixing arose, which involved Gulam Bodi, also a former Proteas player.

“Investigations revealed that Bodi approached several players to participate in fixing three T20 Ram Slam matches, working in collusion with bookmakers from India,” the statement reads.

Bodi was arrested in July 2018. He pleaded guilty to eight counts of corruption and was sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment in October 2019.

Apart from Bodi, two other people were arrested and sentenced.

A second accused, Jean Symes, was arrested in May 2021. He pleaded guilty to one count of corruption and was sentenced to four years in prison. His sentence was wholly suspended for five years.

The third accused, Pumi Matshikwe, was arrested in February 2022. He also pleaded guilty to one corruption charge and was sentenced to six years behind bars, wholly suspended for five years.

Hawks head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya commended the team for their commitment to tackling corruption, even in sectors where it often goes unnoticed.

“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 co-operation and commitment to addressing this scourge.”

The Hawks urge anyone with information on corruption to report it.

“The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility,” the Hawks said in the media statement.