Thami Tsolekile gets 12 years and among four South Africa cricketers banned in corruption probe

Former South Africa wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile. Getty Images

Former South Africa wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile is among four players banned for a total of almost 40 years as investigations into corruption at the Ram Slam Twenty20 continue.

Tsolekile, 35, has been banned for longest - 12 years for “contriving to fix a match or matches in the 2015 RAM SLAM”.

Cricket South Africa also announced three others will face long suspensions.

They were all, like Lions captain Tsolekile, previously contracted to Ram Slam franchises.

Ex-Lions all-rounder Jean Symes is banned for seven years, and seam bowlers Pumelela Matshikwe (Lions) and Ethy Mbhalati (Titans) have both been banned for 10 - the latter with three years suspended.

All admitted contraventions of the anti-corruption code following an investigation which eight months ago resulted in a 20-year ban for former South Africa, Lions and Titans batsman Gulam Bodi for “contriving or attempting to fix matches in the 2015 RAM SLAM T20 Challenge Series”.

A Cricket South Africa press release added: “Bodi acted as an intermediary for international betting syndicates, approaching certain players with a view to engaging in fixing activities during the competition.”

The four players banned on Monday have been punished for a variety of offences - including “receiving a payment or incentive” to fix matches, failing to disclose payments they “knew or ought to have known was given... to procure a breach of the code”, failing to disclose details relating to a third party and failing to co-operate with investigators or providing false information.

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Tsolekile, who won three Test caps 12 years ago, was also guilty of “obstructing or delaying the investigation by destroying (relevant) evidence”.

CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat confirmed investigations continue but added no evidence has been discovered that any match was actually fixed.

“It is our stated position that any form of corruption in the game will be dealt with severely,” he said.

“We will leave no stone unturned and we will do everything in our power to protect the integrity of the game.

“Corruption is a very serious matter - and for this reason, we have devoted extensive time and resources to fully investigate every shred of evidence.

“We are still finalising certain aspects of the investigation.

“While there has been no evidence to suggest that an actual fix in any match was carried out, these players all participated in material discussions about match fixing.

“In fact, they all went further and accepted, or agreed to accept in the future, sums of money which they knew or ought to have known was given to them to procure a breach of the code, or bring the game into disrepute.”

All four are contrite.

Lorgat added: “Our attitude towards any form of corruption is clear, and hence why we have imposed the firm sanctions.

“To their credit, all of these players eventually admitted their misconduct and co-operated with the investigators.

“They have also shown remorse for their actions.

“Importantly, each of them has indicated a willingness to engage in anti-corruption education to assist us to prevent this kind of conduct in the future.”

The bans are effective from the beginning of this month.

Among the personal apologies contained in CSA’s press release, Matshikwe said: “I would like to apologise to my family, friends, the public who are fans of the game of cricket, my team-mates, Gauteng cricket, Lions cricket and especially to Cricket South Africa for my actions.

“I feel ashamed and I deeply regret being involved.

“I understand that I have to take responsibility and I accept the punishment that CSA has imposed on me. I am truly sorry.”

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