MATCH FIXING

Lonwabo Tsotsobe suspended indefinitely for match fixing

by Tristan Holme • Last updated on

Tsotsobe has been suspended from playing or coaching © Cricbuzz

Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been formally charged with attempting to fix matches in the 2015/16 Ram Slam tournament after Cricket South Africa's anti-corruption unit finally moved on the former South Africa international.

Although Tsotsobe's involvement in the affair has been known publicly since it was reported last March, the 33-year-old's evasive tactics have made it difficult for the anti-corruption unit to pin him down. In February, Cricbuzz reported how Tsotsobe had failed to pay his legal bills and regularly ignored the anti-corruption unit's allegations.

But on Monday (April 24), a CSA release confirmed that Tsotsobe had been charged with, among others, four major offences.

They include

-> Contriving to fix or otherwise improperly influence matches,

-> "seeking to accept, accepting or agreeing to accept a bribe or reward" to fix matches,

-> failing to disclose the receipt of a gift or payment "that he knew or ought to have known was given to him to procure a breach of the (anti-corruption) code" and

-> failing to disclose the full details of an approach.

Under the anti-corruption code, Tsotsobe will have 14 days to respond to the charges. Should he choose to contest them, he has the right to a hearing before a tribunal in order to contest liability, sanction or both.

The three-member tribunal would be appointed by the chairman of CSA's Disciplinary Panel, Professor Rian Cloete. One of the members, who must be a lawyer, will then sit as the chairman of the tribunal.

Alviro Petersen was charged with similar offences in November last year, but eventually agreed a deal with the anti-corruption unit that saw some of the main charges withdrawn and a two-year ban put in place. Gulam Bodi, Jean Symes, Pumi Matshikwe, Ethy Mbhalati and Thami Tsolekile were all banned for their part in the match-fixing saga last winter.

Tsotsobe had not been under any suspension prior to Monday's announcement, but has not played any cricket since the 2015/16 Ram Slam tournament. It is understood that he was offered a minor contract for last season by the Lions, whom he was playing for when the saga unfolded, but turned it down.

CSA confirmed that Tsotsobe has now been provisionally suspended from any involvement in cricket.

Tsotsobe is thought to be the last player involved in the saga whose part in it is yet to be determined.

© Cricbuzz

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