Ram Slam comes under the scanner for match fixing

The popular domestic T20 league of South Africa the Ram Slam has come under the scanner of match-fixing a week after the 2015 season got over. Cricket South Africa’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) has charged an “intermediary” under its anti-corruption code for “contriving to fix, or otherwise improperly influence aspects” of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge.

Cricket South Africa, however, did not reveal the identity of the third person involved in the activities. The Board’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit has charged a perpetrator under the ruling body’s Anti-Corruption Code.

“The intermediary has been charged with contriving to fix, or otherwise improperly influence, aspects of the 2015 Twenty20 Challenge Series and with failing or refusing, without compelling justification, to co-operate with an investigation carried out by CSA’s designated Anti-Corruption Official,” CSA quoted in a statement.

Adding furthermore to it, the statement read: “The provisional suspension means that the intermediary may not be involved in any capacity in any match or any other kind of function … recognised or supported in any way by CSA, the ICC, a National Cricket Federation or any member of a National Cricket Federation,” CSA added.

Haroon Lorgat, the CSA’s chief executive, added: “Our attitude to corruption will always be one of zero tolerance and we are confident that we have the necessary structures in place to effectively deal with any corrupt activity. We will relentlessly pursue under our code and the law of the land any persons we believe to be involved in corrupting the game and, with assistance from the police, we will also seek criminal prosecution.”

Cricket South Africa, like every other national cricket governing body in the world, is supposed to follow the vision of the ICC – ‘keep cricket clean’. The tournament concluded recently when the Titans defeated the Dolphins for the trophy on December 12.

“Our attitude to corruption will always be one of zero tolerance and we are confident that we have the necessary structures in place to effectively deal with any corrupt activity,” said CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat.

Incidentally, this is not the first time that the ghosts of match fixing is haunting Cricket South Africa. The former South African captain, Hansie Cronje, faced a lifetime ban in 2000 for his alleged relations with the bookmakers.