Cricket South Africa (CSA) refuse to say if the outcome of the RamSlam or any matches in that tournament were compromised after a man was charged under the organisation’s anti-corruption code.
CSA remain tight lipped over the identity of the individual, who has been charged, only saying he was an “intermediary” - or go between for another individual or organisation that fixes matches.
An insider yesterday claimed that the investigation remained at a “very sensitive stage,” and that the SAPS could yet be involved.
Concerns about match-fixing first surfaced a month ago when domestic players were placed on high alert by CSA and the players body - the South African Cricketers Association - about possible approaches from illegal betting syndicates.
Late Tuesday night CSA outlined that the fixing allegations related to the RamSlam, the only domestic competition that is broadcast overseas - which makes it susceptible to corruption.
The RamSlam concluded last weekend, with the Titans overcoming the Dolphins at SuperSport Park in Centurion. How the competition may have been impacted by fixing, isn’t clear as yet, with CSA demanding patience as the investigation continues. If it is found that fixing - in whatever shape, whether entire matches were corrupted or only elements of games - it would undermine the credibility of the Titans’ achievements. They won nine of 11 matches, including eight in a row in the league phase. Whether those records and even their achievement in winning the competition is compromised, will only be know once the investigation is concluded.
The man was charged on Tuesday under the anti-corruption code “with contriving to fix, or otherwise improperly influence aspects of the 2015 RAM SLAM T20 Challenge Series” In addition, when first interrogated about the charges, the man refused to co-operate with the unit.
CSA instituted strict security measures for last season’s competition - the first time the RamSlam was broadcast overseas. They match the measures used by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the World Cup and other international fixtures. Players, coaches and anyone that enters the dressing-room are not allowed in with cell phones, with only specially accredited individuals are allowed into the dressing-room.
The next step in the process is for the man to answer to the charges. CSA and the ICC remain mum about the details. - The Star