Was Hansie honest?

2001-07-25 19:02

Pretoria - Former cricket hero Hansie Cronjé's honesty before the King Commission of inquiry into match-fixing is to be investigated, the National Prosecuting Authority said on Wednesday.

It said the probe would also focus on a forensic audit report allegedly showing that the former Proteas captain had deposited money not accounted for into 19 bank accounts.

The outcome would determine whether or not Cronjé would get indemnity from prosecution, National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka told the Pretoria Press Club.

"If we find that he has told the truth, I will be happy to grant him indemnity. But if we find that he has not ... we will be equally very happy to prosecute him."

Ngcuka was speaking after meeting Cronjé's legal representatives here on the indemnity issue. Cronjé did not attend.

No question of indemnity being off the table

Cronjé's lawyer, Leslie Sackstein, earlier told reporters: "There is no question of Hansie's indemnity being off the table."

He said Ngcuka merely needed to consider whether Cronjé had met the conditions attached to an earlier promise of indemnity. "Hansie is quite satisfied with this process as he is certain that he has told the truth."

Last year, Cronjé admitted to the King Commission that he had received money from gamblers and bookmakers, but denied any match-fixing. The United Cricket Board (UCB) has since banned Cronjé from cricket for life.

Britain's Daily Telegraph this week reported that more than R10.5 million had been deposited into 19 bank accounts held by Cronjé during his captaincy between 1995 and 2000.

Forensic auditors Deloitte and Touche were unable to verify the deposits as salary payments, endorsements or other declared income, the report said.

Cronjé disputed this, saying he had furnished the King Commission with all his bank account details.

Cronjé can prove every banking transaction

Denying claims of secret accounts and shady deposits, he said he could prove that every banking transaction during his time as national captain was above board.

Cronjé intends challenging his lifelong ban in court in September.

Ngcuka on Wednesday reiterated that Cronjé had been promised indemnity from prosecution if he revealed all before the commission of inquiry to the satisfaction of presiding Judge Edwin King.

The judge had, however, not made any finding on Cronjé's honesty when he terminated the commission earlier this year. "Therefore, they (Cronjé's lawyers) are asking that I exercise my discretion and grant Hansie indemnity from prosecution," Ngcuka said.

He said he told them technically the question of indemnity had fallen away because Judge King did not make any finding. "Nevertheless, I have agreed that I will consider their request because we don't want to hide behind technicalities."

The issue, therefore, was to find out whether or not Cronjé had told the truth. This investigation would be conducted by Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Frank Kahn.

"He must consider whether Hansie has disclosed everything. Part of that will be to look at that forensic report to check where all these monies were coming from," Ngcuka said.

He said the investigation would be completed as soon as possible.

- SAPA