CSA bans four players for breaching Anti-Corruption Code

The Cricket South Africa (CSA) today banned 4 players for breaching the Anti-Corruption Code for Personnel (“the Code”). Jean Symes, Pumelela Matshikwe, Ethy Mbhalati and Thami Tsolekile admitted their mistake and thus a ban has been imposed which will be considered into effect from August 1, 2016.

CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat was quoted in a press release saying: “It is our stated position that any form of corruption in the game will be dealt with severely. 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 finalizing certain aspects of the investigation.

“Whilst 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 partake in activity that would amount to a breach of the Code, or bring the game into disrepute.

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“Our attitude towards any form of corruption is clear and hence why we have imposed such 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.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank the ICC for assisting us in these multifaceted investigations,” added Mr Lorgat.

Bernard Ngoepe who is the Independent Chairperson of CSA’s Anti-Corruption Unit said, “Corruption in sport around the world remains a serious threat. In this case, CSA was fortunate that as a direct result of CSA and SACA’s player education programmes, the matter was brought to light. However, there is no doubt that players need to remain alive to the guile and deception on the part of fixing syndicates who operate internationally.

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“These investigations are by their very nature complex and time consuming and I am satisfied at the manner in which the investigations have been handled,” added Judge Ngoepe.

One of the banned players Pumi Matshikwe said, “I would like to apologize 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.”

The other player Ethy Mbalati said: “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 decision 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.”

Jean Symes also regretted his actions and said, “I deeply regret that at the end of my career, a career that I have devoted to the sport of cricket, my clubs, teams and fellow players, I have conducted myself in a manner that amounts to a contravention of the ethical code of conduct of Cricket South Africa. In hindsight, I would have conducted myself differently. I regret any hurt or inconvenience that I have caused my team, my fellow players, my family and friends and specifically Cricket South Africa,” said Symes.

“The ban will not allow the four players to participating in any international or domestic match or any other kind of function, event or activity (other than authorized anti-corruption education or rehabilitation programmes) that is authorized, organized, sanctioned, recognized or supported in any way by CSA, the ICC, a National Cricket Federation or any member of a National Cricket Federation.

As certain final aspects of the investigation are still to be concluded, neither CSA nor the ICC will make any further comment in respect of the matter.” CSA stated.

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