Ram Slam Match-Fixing: A storm brews in South African cricket as three former players—Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thami Tsolekile, and Ethy Mbhalati—find themselves entangled in a high-profile corruption case. The trio has been charged under Section 15 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (2004), facing five counts related to their alleged roles in Ram Slam Match-Fixing during the 2015 Ram Slam T20 series.

This isn’t the first time their names have surfaced in controversy. Back in 2016 and 2017, Cricket South Africa banned these players, along with four others, following allegations of fixing attempts during the tournament. According to ESPNcricinfo, this investigation was part of a wider crackdown involving South African and Indian bookmakers.

The arrests, conducted last month, come after years of digging by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks. National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating, “Corruption erodes the core values of sport. We remain committed to safeguarding integrity and professionalism.”

A Legacy Tarnished

• Thami Tsolekile (44): Once a promising wicketkeeper who donned the Proteas jersey for three Test matches in 2004, Tsolekile was banned for 12 years in 2016. His cricketing journey has now taken a dark turn as he faces the possibility of prison time.
• Lonwabo Tsotsobe (40): The former left-arm pacer, who represented South Africa in all formats between 2009 and 2014, saw his career peak with 127 international wickets. Banned for eight years in 2017, he now faces corruption charges that could extend his fall from grace.
• Ethy Mbhalati: Known for his domestic prowess with 129 first-class matches under his belt, Mbhalati was a left-arm pacer who became a key figure in South Africa’s domestic cricket scene. His arrest adds to the growing list of disgraced players from the 2015 scandal.

 Ram Slam Match-Fixing Scandal

The saga traces back to former cricketer Gulam Bodi, who was convicted in 2016 for acting as a middleman for Indian bookmakers. Bodi was sentenced to five years in prison after attempting to lure players into fixing matches or key moments. While no games were ultimately manipulated, the case exposed vulnerabilities in the sport’s ethical safeguards.

Among the other implicated players, Jean Symes and Pumi Matshikwe received suspended sentences, while Alviro Petersen’s case remains shrouded in ambiguity.