Gulam Bodi is at the centre of the Ram Slam fixing case © Getty Images
Gulam Bodi has submitted his plea to CSA after being charged with contriving to fix, or otherwise improperly influence aspects of the 2015 Ram Slam T20 tournament.
“We are waiting to see if they accept it, if not it will go to a tribunal,” Ayoob Kaka, Bodi’s lawyer told ESPNcricinfo.
In essence, that means Bodi has admitted to at least some of the allegations, because a not guilty plea would not require any acceptance. Irrespective of whether CSA accepts the plea, and move to sanction Bodi, or do not accept the plea, and begin a hearing, they will have to take any evidence of criminality they may uncover to the South African police services, who could launch their own investigation.
The Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act of 2004 makes match-fixing and spot-fixing in sport a crime in South Africa.
In a release issued by CSA ten days ago, the South African board said Bodi was cooperating with anti-corruption officials even though when he was initially suspended in mid-December, he also faced a charge of refusing to co-operate with the investigation. CSA has since also said they are waiting on Bodi to provide them with information on other suspects, who are also under investigation.
A legal case is being prepared against several other players and an insider revealed that some of them “accepted money to fix”, while others failed to report corrupt activity.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo