Lim’s hero Ethy banned 10 years for ‘bad mistake
Limpopo born and Titans cricket player, Ethy Mbhalati, was given a 10-year ban from Cricket South Africa (CSA) for match fixing.
POLOKWANE – The ban follows a lengthy investigation and previous imposition by CSA in January of a 20-year ban on former Proteas, Lions and Titans player, Gulam Bodi, after he admitted to charges of contriving or attempting to fix matches in the 2015 Ram Slam T20 Challenge Series.
During investigations, it emerged that the Phalaborwa local received a payment/incentive to fix the 2015 Ram Slam, making an illegal payment, and failing to disclose a payment and approach to the anti-corruption unit.
Mbhalati is among four players including Jean Symes, Pumelela Matshikwe, and Thami Tsolekile who were all banned by CSA.
The bans imposed on the players, which are effective from 1 August 2016, prevent them from participating or being involved in cricket in any capacity.
Mbhalati has expressed regret, saying what he did was a “bad mistake”.
“I would like to extend my sincere apology to both Cricket South Africa as well as the public for my involvement in this. I made a bad mistake which I will regret for a very long time.
“I would like to do all I can to prevent other players finding themselves in the difficult situation I now find myself in,” said Mbhalati.
Mbhalati is a right-arm medium pacer and made his first-class debut for Northerns in 2002/03.
Mbhalati made history when he became the first South African to score a hat-trick in the Standard Bank Pro20 Series and in 2012, he was included in the Titans squad ahead of the Champions League T20 tournament.
He was part of the South Africa A-team in that year. Mbhalati planned to host the Ethy Mbhalati Cup Limpopo 2016 which never came to fruition as a result of his ban.
Limpopo Impala Cricket’s (LIC) Amateur Manager, Feizal Kimmie, says it is sad that the greed for money overtakes the principles and a good value system instilled in cricketers all over South Africa.
He further said cricketers are warned about the serious implication of accepting money to influence matches.
“Both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and CSA have structures in place to combat match fixing and players know the consequences thereof.
“It is sad that one of our own heroes, that we all looked up to, was enticed by money,” says Kimmie. Kimmie says LIC regrets what has happened but they still admire Mbhalati’s cricketing achievements and what he had done for placing Limpopo cricket on the map.
“Due to his ban, we can no longer make use of his services and cricket knowledge in Limpopo.
“It is regrettable that he will now be remembered for this rather than his cricketing abilities,” says Kimmie.
Kimmie urges all young players to be resilient and aware of what could happen when you cross the line.
