The King Commission Interim Report

Mukesh Gupta

On the evening of the third day of the third test of the South African tour to India, 10 December 1996, Cronjé was introduced to one, MUKESH GUPTA or "MK" who after some initial conversation asked Cronjé to speak to his players to obtain their cooperation in throwing their wickets away so as to ensure that South Africa lost. Cronjé agreed to do so and received $30,000 in cash for his pains.

At that stage India had made 237 runs in the first innings to which South Africa had replied with 177, a first innings lead for India of 60 runs; batting again, India was 270/5, for a lead overall of 350 at the end of the third day with Asharrudin at 88 not out. In the result India declared their second innings closed at 400/7, a lead of 460 and put South Africa away for 180, for a victory by 280 runs.

Cronjé said that he took the $30 000, 00 but did nothing more; he didn't contact any of his teammates; he described MK's gesture as "a very stupid set" which was apparently given "for security" in respect of a result that was in any case a foregone conclusion. By "security" I understand Cronjé to be saying that MK wanted the assurance of an Indian victory.

It was put to Cronjé that within the space of a month MK had invested either $80,000 or $110,000, not for match fixing but for information. On a later occasion, probably during the Quadrangular series in Pakistan, MK again contacted Cronjé requesting information. Cronjé refused; he said that he had by that time built up sufficient resolve to enable him to resist MK and did so because he felt bad because he knew it was wrong to take money for information.

What Cronjé in fact received from MK are:
$30, 000 on or about 10 December 1996 (referred to above) $50,000 on or about 10 January 1997 during the India tour to South Africa, apparently in respect of team selections, daily information and, in respect of the 2nd Test at Newlands during the period 2 - 6 January 1997, the score at which South Africa would declare. $30,000 on or about 15 January 1997, presumed to be from MK also for the same purpose as the payment referred in the immediately preceding paragraph.

Additionally it was MK who offered Cronjé the substantial sum on 14 December 1996 to throw the final ODI in Mumbai, an offer which was put to the squad by Cronjé and rejected by a depleted and dispirited team who were comfortably beaten by India.

Cronjé thought that MK was "more than happy" with what he had received in return for the money he had given Cronjé. When he again approached Cronjé during the quadrangular series in November 1997 he was unsuccessful. MK was "not too upset" at this rebuff and never contacted Cronjé again.

Certain further events occurred during the period covered by A2.

It had been arranged that on 14 December 1996, two days after the last test at Kanpur, South Africa and India would play a one-day limited overs match for the benefit of the former India player Mohinder Amarnath. The South Africans on the eve of their departure for home after a long and arduous tour of the sub-continent, were greatly displeased to hear that the game had been converted into an official one-day international. For various reasons the team, depleted by illness, was far from enthusiastic about the match.

The match was to be played at Mumbai. At a point in time prior to 14 December 1996, MK had approached Cronjé. In fact on the flight from Kanpur to Mumbai, Cronjé came to speak with Derek Crookes, his teammate, mentioning that a money offer had been made to the team to throw the last game; other players were also approached by Cronjé on this flight and on the bus on the way to the hotel; Cronjé told them that he had received an offer dependent on the team playing badly in the ODI.

Crookes asked his captain whether he was joking or serious. In response to Crookes' enquiry Cronjé told him to think about it and that there would be a (team) meeting later. This would surely have conveyed that Cronjé was serious, as indeed he was.

According to Dave Richardson, a senior player, Cronjé called a meeting of senior players, namely, McMillan, Hudson, Kirsten (vice captain) and himself (Richardson). Cronjé put the proposal. Richardson could not recall the details thereof or the amount of money offered. It was decided that Cronjé would call a meeting of the whole team. Thus Cronjé's senior colleagues also took the proposal seriously.

Pat Symcox, a team member, also recalled the incident. He put the offer conveyed by Cronjé at US$250 000, 00. At the team meeting, certain players spoke out against the offer, notably Hudson, Crookes and Cullinan. The whole squad was present at the meeting (excluding Donald and Rhodes who had left for home).

The offer was seriously made and seriously considered. Cronjé's attitude was that the offer had to be accepted by everyone, otherwise it was "no go". After the objectors had spoken, the meeting rejected the proposal. Other players testified to the meeting, which is in fact common cause.

After the team meeting which had lasted an estimated 20 minutes, a few of the players remained behind (in Cronjé's room where the meeting had been held) and were present when Cronjé telephoned MK and sought an increase in the offer; he succeeded: MK was prepared to raise the offer by $100,000; "well there's another 100" Cronjé informed his colleagues, (it is not entirely clear whether the initial offer was $200,000 or $250,000 and also whether the tendered increase was $100,000 or $50,000). Whatever it was, the offer was not taken up.

Certain further events require mention:
India in South Africa 1996 - 1997
The Indians were in South Africa during December 1996 to January 1997. MK was also here. Three (3) tests were played; no international ODIs were played. MK and Cronjé were in contact; for the 1st Test Cronjé supplied team selections and daily forecasts; for the 2nd Test Cronjé gave MK a declaration score - South Africa declared both innings closed. Cronjé testified that a declaration forecast was definite and it was something that one could bet on. MK offered Cronjé $300,000 to lose the 3rd Test; Cronjé refused.

After the 2nd Test MK transferred $50,000 into Cronjé's building society account in Bloemfontein; Cronjé understood from MK's requests regarding the 1st and 2nd Tests that MK would pay him and unspecified amount if he won money on these matches.

Sharjah
From 22 - 31 March 2000 South Africa, India and Pakistan engaged in a series for the Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah, Dubai.

Cassim once again contacted Cronjé; he indicated that Sanjay wanted to resume contact, but Cronjé says that he resisted him and that no contact was made.

Cronjé was also approached by Sunil. They had met during the 1996 tour of India when Sunil had asked Cronjé if he was interested in fixing marches and Cronjé had replied that he was not. Cronjé did, however, give Sunil "the odd bit of information and news on the team … nothing out of the ordinary". No payment was offered and none was received, according to Cronjé. Sunil also apparently befriended Gibbs.

Cronjé maintained his friendship with Sunil who on the occasion of their meeting for the first time had propositioned Cronjé in this way but not again in India.

Cronjé said that the information which he gave to Sunil at Sharjah "would have been handy for him if he wanted to make a bet on a game", but received no money in return.

The night before the final of the Sharjah Cup, Cronjé was telephoned by a man who did not give his name, wanting to speak to him about a "promotion" of some of his products. He also informed Cronjé that he would pay $100,000 down and $100,000 after the match in return for playing badly. Cronjé declined. He never mentioned the incident to Klusener.

The Mandela Trophy
This was played for between South Africa and Pakistan in January 1995, in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

In his evidence in chief Cronjé told of an approach made to him shortly before the first of 2 ODIs, played in Cape Town by "an Indian or Pakistani man who described himself only as "John".

The contacting of Cronjé by John had been made on the internal hotel telephone. John introduced himself as a journalist. Cronjé went to John's room. John told him he was not a journalist but a match fixer. This was the first time Cronjé had been approached to fix a game. Cronjé told John he wanted to think about it and sought out a senior player.

Cronjé, who admitted to being tempted by the money offer, telephoned Symcox. Cronjé agreed that he brought John under the impression that he was seriously considering his offer, as indeed was the case.

Cronjé recognised that if Symcox had been supportive they probably would have gone through with the idea. Symcox testified that Cronjé called him to come to his room for a chat. They talked about the coming game and then Cronjé told Symcox of the offer he'd received on behalf of the team.

Symcox thought it was a bad idea and that South Africa could beat Pakistan anyway (they did). An additional reason which, according to Cronjé, Symcox gave was that "it wasn't a big enough figure anyway"; presumably therefor the extent of the offer was discussed. Cronjé telephoned John and told him that he was not interested.

South Africa won the first match. Cronjé recalled that when he walked onto the field the Pakistan captain, Salim Malik asked him whether he had spoken to John. It was evident to Cronjé that Malik knew about John's approach to him. Cronjé said that he felt ashamed and embarrassed and wishing to avoid talking about the matter, merely nodded in response to Malik's enquiry.

That notwithstanding John approached Cronjé before the 2nd match in Johannesburg with a similar request, which Cronjé says he turned down.

In the course of his examination by his Counsel, Malcolm Wallis S.C., Cronjé assured the Commission that he had made a full disclosure of his participation and the participation of others of which he was aware in the activities with which the Commission is concerned. The relevant passage in the record reads as follows:
"MR WALLIS: Now Mr Cronjé, you've dealt in your statement and in your further evidence today with various incidents over a period from 1995 until the early part of this year, involving broadly questions of betting, payments for information, payments to effect the results of matches, match fixing and the like. Are there any incidents during that period in which you have been involved, any incidents of that broad and general nature which are not dealt with in this statement and in the further evidence you've given?

MR CRONJé: Wherever I've been involved and whatever knowledge I have is in this affidavit.

MR WALLIS: Are you aware of any other incidents involving other South African players or officials of this nature, but in which you were not involved during that period?

MR CRONJé: Not that I'm aware of, no.

COMMISSIONER: May I just, Mr Wallis, intervene just as a point of elucidation? You answered counsel, Mr Cronjé, by saying that you have no other knowledge other than that which is in your affidavit as it's now been supplemented in evidence. Were you speaking of the period that Mr Wallis mentioned, 1995 through to earlier this year or is that an altogether, whenever?

MR CRONJé: Whenever …. (intervention)

COMMISSIONER: There's nothing more, you've told me all that there is that you are aware of … (intervention)

MR CRONJé: Yes, that's correct.

COMMISSIONER: … involving match fixing and related matters in which you were involved in one way or another?

MR CRONJé: That's correct.

COMMISSIONER: Thank you.

MR WALLIS: So that covers the whole of your cricketing life and experience?

MR CRONJé: That's correct.

MR WALLIS: Okay. And just for the sake of completeness because there is a concern about that, you've talked about your own involvement, you've talked about matters of which you have knowledge, is there any even rumour or something that you know of which might have a bearing on those types of matches or matters which you haven't dealt with? And I'm not asking you to give evidence of rumour, but is there anything of that sort, or that might fall within the purview not just of what this Commission is specifically considering, but that general area over the period you have been involved in as a professional cricketer?

MR CRONJé: I think it's true that whenever we tour the sub-continent we do get the odd occasion, like a person like Sunil who will come up to you and pass that remark, and I have joked about it in the team and spoken about it in the team, and I think it's come up at various times that we've spoken about it. But I cannot say with any definite sort of intentions that I know of anybody else that is involved, or anything that I know that will fall into the Terms of Reference of the Commission, or anything for that matter.

COMMISSIONER: Anything outside the Terms of Reference?

MR CRONJé: Yes, that's correct. It would be very wrong for me to say anything like that, because I don't have any proof or any hearsay is really just dressing-room talk, and it's not something that - I think it's very, very dangerous to elaborate on."

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