Durban - Disgraced Premier Soccer League referee Enoch Radebe has become the first in the country to be sentenced for match-fixing in soccer.
Radebe, 48, was fined R150 000, R75 000 of which was suspended. Alternatively he is to serve 10 years in prison, suspended for five years.
Magistrate Sunil Panday agreed that R25 000 could be paid up front and the rest at R5 000 a month.
He gave Radebe until 3.30pm on Wednesday to pay or go to jail. Minutes before the deadline, his family paid the R25 000 and Radebe was set free.
He will not be allowed to wear a referee's jersey again.
Radebe was among more than 20 referees questioned in the nationwide Operation Dribble, aimed at rooting out corruption and match-fixing.
He offered R4 000 each to fellow referee Harry Lekitlane and his assistant, Mantuso Nayo, to influence a match. Lekitlane and Nayo gave evidence for the state.
Defending Radebe, Mafona Ramothwala told the court Radebe's actions had affected only the black soccer-watching community and sentencing should take into account that they "did not offend the general community of South Africa".
But Panday said he saw his actions as a crime against South Africa because it was to host football's 2010 World Cup and this might have had a negative effect for the country.
Sport was about building trustworthy relationships and there was need to build a culture of sportsmanship, he said.
Had Radebe pleaded guilty, this would have been an indication of remorsefulness, but he had not. "The sentence has to make you reflect and send a message to all others."
The PSL was pleased as this was the first such sentence, its chief operating officer, Ronnie Schloss, said.