CSA charges Tsotsobe with corruption

Former South African fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been charged with corruption over fixing allegations surrounding a 2015 RAM SLAM T20 Challenge Series fixture, Cricket SA said on Monday.

The left-arm seamer, 33, is charged with "seeking to accept‚ accepting or agreeing to accept a bribe or reward to fix or contrive to fix or influence improperly a match or matches," CSA said in a statement. He will be temporarily suspended from involvement in any fixture under ICC rules. 

"The charges against Tsotsobe follows a lengthy investigation which started around October 2015 by CSA's Anti-Corruption Unit, and the previous finding and bans imposed... for offences under the Code relating to the (tournament)," it said.

Tsotsobe has previously denied involvement in the case.

Thami Tsolekile, Gulam Bodi‚ Pumi Matshikwe‚ Jean Symes‚ Ethy Mbhalati‚ and Alviro Petersen were found guilty of offences similar to those with which Tsotsobe is charged, local media reported. They were banned from all aspects of the game for between seven and 20 years.

Tsotsobe last played for South Africa in 2014 having played five Tests, 61 ODIs and 23 T20s. 

Tsotsobe's significant charges: 

• Contriving to fix or otherwise improperly influence, or being party to a scheme in which attempts would be made to fix or otherwise improperly influence, a match or matches in the 2015 RAM SLAM T20 Challenge Series;

• Seeking to accept, accepting or agreeing to accept a bribe or reward to fix or contrive to fix or influence improperly a match or matches in the 2015 RAM SLAM T20 Challenge Series;

• 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 Code or that was made in circumstances that could bring him or the sport of cricket into disrepute;

• Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations to engage in Corrupt Conduct under the Code;