Gulam Bodi of the Lions bats during the Karbonn Smart CLT20 Semi Final match between Bizhub Highveld Lions and Delhi Daredevils at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on October 25, 2012 in Durban. AFP PHOTO / STRINGER
STRINGER / AFP
Gulam Bodi: Ex-Proteas batsman sentenced to five years in prison
Gulam Bodi becomes the first South African sportsman to face jail time over his role in match fixing.
Gulam Bodi of the Lions bats during the Karbonn Smart CLT20 Semi Final match between Bizhub Highveld Lions and Delhi Daredevils at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on October 25, 2012 in Durban. AFP PHOTO / STRINGER
STRINGER / AFP
Former Proteas batsman Gulam Body has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a match-fixing scandal, which rocked South African cricket in 2015.
The 40-year-old had pleaded guilty to eight counts of corruption in 2018, admitting to being a link between players – mostly his teammates at the Lions – and bookies during the 2015 Ram Slam T20 competition.
Gulam Bodi completes unsavory piece of history
This made him the first South African sportsperson to be criminally convicted of match-fixing and, on Friday, he returned for sentencing at the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court, where he dodged the maximum sentence of 15 years.
According to EWN, Bodi intends to file an appeal to extend his bail.
He was initially banned from all cricket-related activities for 20 years, while the other players involved – Jean Symes, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Phumelela Matshikwe, Ethy Mbhalati and Thami Tsolekile – also received suspensions which effectively ended their playing careers.
The group, made up mostly of former Proteas players, were pinned for accepting payment in exchange for influencing aspects of certain games.
Another player, Alviro Petersen, also came under investigation after blowing the whistle on Bodi, and subsequently received a two-year ban.
The former Test opener was present at the sentencing on Friday.
Bodi played three international matches for South Africa, his first coming in an One Day International (ODI) series against Zimbabwe in 2007.
He played just two matches in the 50-over format for his country, scoring 83 runs with a highest score of 51, before making his only T20 International appearance against the West Indies in 2008.
In admitting guilt, Bodi pleaded for forgiveness for his actions.
“The accused pleads to the mercy of the court. He fully understands the seriousness of his offences and begs the state for forgiveness,” he was quoted as saying in a written statement.
Bodi’s prison sentence is the highest sanction received by a South African sports personality in relation with match-fixing.
His scandal followed some 15 years after the high-profile one involving late former Proteas captain, Hansie Cronje, who was handed a life-long ban for his actions, but escaped criminal prosecution.
