Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thami Tsolekile, Ethy Mbhalati arrested over match-fixing: 'If it goes unpunished, what kind of message is it sending?'

John Maytham interviews Craig Ray, Sports Editor at the Daily Maverick.

Listen below.

Three former South African cricketers have been arrested in connection with their alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal during the 2015/16 domestic T20 Ram Slam Challenge.

The individuals arrested are Ethy Mbhalati (43), Thami Tsolekile (44), and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (40).

Mbhalati was detained on 18 November, Tsolekile on 28 November, and Tsotsobe on 29 November.

These arrests stem from an investigation by the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation Unit, triggered by a whistleblower's report from October 2016.

RELATED: Bodi approached several teammates to participate in match-fixing in 2015/2016 T20 Ram Slam Challenge - Hawks

Last Friday, Tsotsobe, Tsolekile, and Mbhalati appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

Tsotsobe and Tsolekile are facing five charges of corruption under Section 15 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

While the financial gains from the alleged match-fixing – amounting to a few hundred thousand rands each – may seem modest, Ray emphasises that the offence is significant in terms of preserving the integrity of cricket and sports as a whole.

"If it goes unpunished, what kind of message are the anti-corruption units sending out?"

- Craig Ray, Sports editor – Daily Maverick

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.