Former Proteas player in court

By Telford Vice and Philani Nombembe - 14 September 2016

Banned former Proteas player Thami Tsolekile appeared in court yesterday on a charge of assaulting a minor.

The state alleges that Tsolekile manhandled and slapped a 14-year-old boy in Pinelands, Cape Town, last week.

Tsolekile, 36, pleaded not guilty in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court and was ordered to appear again on October 10.

The prosecution told the court the investigation was ongoing and witness statements were outstanding.

Last month, Tsolekile was banned from cricket for 12 years for his role in the match-fixing scandal that tainted the 2015 franchise T20 competition.

Four other players‚ among them former SA player Gulam Bodi‚ have also been punished. Bodi was banned from the game for life.

Tsolekile last played a competitive match in December, but sources claim he has landed a government job.

The former Proteas wicketkeeper bolted out of the courtroom after his brief appearance and his lawyer sneaked him out through a back door.