STEVEN MANN, Cape Town | Wednesday 12.00pm.
DISGRACED cricket skipper Hansie Cronje has taken the stand to start his cross-examination in front the King Commission of inquiry into his alleged involvement match-fixing.
Cronje’s psychiatrist told the King Commission earlier on Wednesday that the disgraced former cricket skipper is suffering from “clinical depression” but will be able to testify despite his condition.
Dr Ian Lewis told the commission that Cronje’s depression would possibly make it difficult to answer “complex questions”, but that he would still be able to be cross-examined. “It is my opinion that it would be better for him to have these hearings over with,” he said.
Lewis also said that Cronje suffers from memory lapses, and would find it harder to answer questions he perceives as “threatening.”
Cronje will be cross-examined about his involvement in illicit gambling schemes in the full glare of the public spotlight, after three media oganisations won a court battle to enable them to broadcast the King Commission’s public hearings.
The SABC, e-TV and Live Africa Network News petitioned the Cape High Court to overrule a decision by the commission’s Judge Edwin King that the hearings be closed to the broadcast media because witnesses may be intimidated.
The commission was set up to probe corruption in South African cricket after Cronje admitted to taking $8200 from a bookmaker.
On Thursday Cronje _ in a statement read out to the commission _ subsequently admitted to receiving about $100000 since 1996.
Media organizations won a temporary reprieve to enable them to broadcast Cronje’s opening testimony, but wanted to be allowed to screen his cross-examination and all other testimony.
Opening Wednesday’s hearings, which began 45 minutes late, King said he would abide by the court’s ruling and media organisations had been given broadcasting facilities.