Historic Criminal charges sanctioned on match-fixer Gulam Bodi

Bodi was banned for 20 years by Cricket South Africa.

Gulam Bodi has played 2 ODIs and 1 T20I for South Africa. (Facebook)

Former South African batsman, Gulam Bodi has found himself in more trouble on Friday, July 13. Gulam Bodi, who was caught for his involvement as “middleman” in Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) match-fixing scandal, was being arrested by the police for historic criminal charges over him. 

According to Network24, the 39-year-old was released on R 3000 bail following an appearance in Pretoria’s Commercial Crimes Court on nine charges of corruption.

It is understood to be the first instance of a professional sportsman being criminally charged for match-fixing. The Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act Law, enacted in 2004, has a specific clause related to corruption in sporting events.

The Act was incorporated following the former Proteas captain Hansie Cronje’s admission in the year 2000 of taking money from the bookmakers for spot-fixing certain moments of matches he was involved in for the Proteas. 

Bodi, who had been banned for 20 years by CSA in January 2016 from engaging in any cricketing activities, handed himself over to the police earlier on Friday, July 13 and his case has been postponed a month to 13th August.

Bodi’s web of influence led to six other players – Ethy Mbhalati, Alviro Petersen, Thami Tsolekile, Jean Symes, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Pume Matshikwe – receiving suspensions of varying severity from the game's governing body in the rainbow nation, Cricket South Africa(CSA). 

(Inputs from citizen.co.za)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 14 Jul, 2018

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