Hawks Crack Down on Historic Cricket Match-Fixing Scandal Involving Former South African Players

In a striking development that has shaken the foundations of South African cricket, the Hawks, a specialized unit of the South African Police Service, have taken decisive action by arresting three former cricketers linked to a notorious match-fixing scandal dating back to 2016. Ethy Mbhalati, Thamsanqa Tsolekile, and Lonwabo Lennox Tsotsobe were apprehended on separate dates in late November 2023 as part of an extensive investigation into corruption allegations first reported in 2016 by Cricket South Africa's anti-corruption officer.

The case initially surfaced when suspicions of match-fixing in the T20 Ram Slam matches were raised, implicating former Protea player Gulam Bodi as a central figure. Bodi, who was arrested by the Hawks in July 2018, later pleaded guilty to eight counts of corruption and received a five-year prison sentence in October 2019. His involvement reportedly included collaborating with bookmakers from India to manipulate the outcomes of three T20 Ram Slam matches.

Further investigations led to the gradual unraveling of the network as the Hawks pursued leads and gathered evidence over the years. In May 2021, Jean Symes, another former Lions cricketer, was convicted on a corruption charge and received a suspended sentence. Pumi Matshikwe followed suit in February 2022, also accepting guilt for his role in the scandal which resulted in a similarly suspended sentence.

The latest arrests reflect the ongoing commitment of the Hawks to cleanse the sport of corrupt practices. Mbhalati appeared promptly in the Pretoria specialized commercial crimes court with his trial postponed to February 2025 for further deliberations. Tsolekile and Tsotsobe, facing five counts of corruption each, also made their initial court appearances, with another hearing scheduled for late February 2025 to discuss the disclosure of evidence.

These arrests mark a critical pivot in addressing historical injustices within South African cricket, demonstrating the nation's persistent efforts to maintain the integrity of the sport. As the legal proceedings continue, the cricket community and the public eagerly await further developments, hoping for restoration of faith and fairness in one of the country's most cherished sports.