Hansie threatens legal steps

2001-07-24 22:23

Johann de Jager

Bloemfontein - Members of the King Commission, suspected of leaking information to a British newspaper, can expect that legal action would be taken against them.

This was made clear by an irate Hansie Cronjé and his Bloemfontein lawyer Leslie Sackstein at a news conference on Tuesday, where they tried to clear up some of the latest allegations against Cronjé.

A frustrated Cronjé clearly stated that he was "sick and tired of all the untruths and blatant lies being spread" over his activities following a report in The Sunday Telegraph of his more than 19 bank accounts into which more than R10 million appears to have been deposited during his tenure as captain.

"I made everything (transactions) available and if it is alleged that I concealed 19 bank accounts, it is a blatant lie."

The report, - which he regards as a witch-hunt and campaign against him - resulted in Tuesday's news conference. Cronjé explained every transaction.

The probe into Cronjé's financial affairs, meanwhile, has been reopened at the request of the National Prosecuting Authority.

Cronjé and Sackstein will meet with National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka on Wednesday to obtain clarification over criminal prosecution. Earlier it was reported that his exemption from criminal procedures has been withdrawn following the latest developments.

'I completed it on behalf of everybody'

Cronjé and his lawyer will, at the same time, also inform Ngcuka of their suspicion that confidential documents had been made public on purpose by a member of the commission.

He would like a member of the commission to reveal who had given the incomplete report to Nigel Manthorp, author of the Telegraph report, and that the person(s) involved should be exposed.

"Somebody in the commission has to explain how the report came into his hands. I can only hope, for their sakes, that none of them gave him the documents. We are definitely going to take legal action."

Sackstein added that those responsible for the breach of confidence could face a fine or even prison sentence.

Cronjé maintains Deloitte & Touche had been required to get clearance for each of the transactions. A meeting scheduled for December 21 last year was cancelled at the last moment and he has never been given the opportunity to explain the transactions.

"We pay people millions to conduct an investigation and after 15 months this (an incomplete report) is all they can come up with. The forensic probe is still incomplete. I have meanwhile completed it on behalf of everybody."

He also made a list of all the properties he owns available.

- Volksblad