Cricket South Africa has charged former South Africa opening batsman Alviro Petersen with six breaches of the anti-corruption code relating to attempting to fix matches during the 2015 domestic T20 competition, the Ram Slam. Petersen, who has been provisionally suspended from all cricket activities, denied any involvement in fixing earlier this year.Five other players – Gulam Bodi, Thami Tsolekile, Jean Symes, Ethy Mbhalati and Pumelela Matshikwe – were banned for between seven and 20 years for contriving to fix matches in the competition last season. Petersen has been given 14 days to respond to the charges.Broadly, Petersen has been charged both with attempts to fix or improperly influence aspects of the tournament and with withholding information from anti-corruption officials during their investigation.The six charges laid by CSA are:
- 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 to the designated anti-corruption official (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations to engage in corrupt conduct under the code.
- Failure to disclose to the designated anti-corruption official (without unnecessary delay) full details of any incident or fact that may evidence corrupt conduct under the code by another participant.
- Nine counts of failing to disclose (without unnecessary delay) accurate and complete information and/or documentation to the designated anti-corruption official.
- Obstructing or delaying the investigation by concealing, tampering with or destroying information or documentation relevant to the investigation.
In March, Petersen admitted he had reported fixing approaches but denied suggestions that he was under investigation.In a series of tweets, Petersen said: “I have seen some media reports about the match-fixing scandal and my name was thrown around… herewith some facts about Bodigate. As far as I’m concerned I’m under no investigation. I confirm that I reported the matter to SACA CEO Tony Irish and ACSU [Anti-Corruption Officer] Louis Cole three days after I was made aware of the fixing scandal. Subsequent to me reporting the matter, two other players also came forward and reported that they were approached. I told the ACSU that all I wanted was for them to stop the fixing in the Ram Slam before it happened. I was in daily communication with the ACSU after I reported the matter. They knew about my meetings and discussions with others.”Petersen also told a newspaper that he was the whistleblower on the scandal. He was re-contracted to the Lions this season, having spent the northern summer in England with Lancashire, but has not played in any of the five first-class matches that have taken place this season. On Tuesday, he tweeted he was back in training with the team and was expected to play in the T20 competition, which started on Sunday.
