Former South Africa seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been banned for eight years after admitting “several breaches” of his country’s anti-corruption code.
The charges against Tsotsobe related to his involvement in the fixing scandal in the 2015 Ram Slam Twenty20 competition, which has already resulted in a 20-year ban for his fellow former South Africa player Gulam Bodi.
Cricket South Africa announced Tsotsobe’s suspension in a statement on Tuesday.
It read: “CSA has banned former Proteas and Highveld Lions player Lonwabo Tsotsobe for several breaches of its anti-corruption code for personnel.
“Tsotsobe, who has admitted contraventions of the code, has been banned for eight years.”
Left-armer Tsotsobe, who won five Test caps and 84 in limited-overs matches up to 2014, has also played for Essex.
He joins five other players – including internationals Thami Tsolekile and Alviro Petersen – already banned for various lengths of time by CSA following its investigations into attempts to fix matches in the domestic competition two years ago.
The board’s statement added: “Tsotsobe has admitted one charge of contriving to fix a match in the 2015 RAM SLAM; two charges of failing to disclose to the CSA anti-corruption officer the full details of an approach to engage in corrupt conduct; two charges of failing to disclose full details of matters evidencing a breach of the code by another participant; three charges of failing or refusing to co-operate with an investigation (including failing to provide accurate and complete information); and two charges of obstructing or delaying the investigation by destroying evidence and concealing information that was relevant to the investigation.”
CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat, said: “Mr Tsotsobe has ultimately admitted his mistakes in contravening the CSA anti-corruption code – and while no fix actually took place, it is clear that he was active in plans to participate in spot-fixing, and hence the sanction imposed on him.”
Tsotsobe, 33, said: “I wish to apologise to cricket lovers all over the world. I was, at the time, in a very vulnerable financial state and this dilemma too easily persuaded me to participate in spot-fixing.
“There are no words to describe the regret I have in relation to my actions and I hope that the cricket world could consider my apology and understand my deepest feeling of remorse.”
The ban will run for eight years from 24 April 2017, the date on which Tsotsobe was provisionally suspended.
His punishment appears to bring an end to the investigation and disciplinary procedure.
CSA’s anti-corruption unit independent chairman Bernard Ngoepe said: “The investigative team have completed a thorough and far-reaching investigation.
“I am satisfied that all the culprits have been duly prosecuted under the code – and unless we receive or uncover any new or previously undisclosed information, we believe we can now bring this matter to a close.
“However, we must remain vigilant to the continuing threat of corrupt activity in domestic and international cricket.”
