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Cronje cross-examination today; will it be live?

Paul Martin Cainer in Cape Town

He wanted to keep the cameras and microphones away. But now it seems he'll have them, whether he likes it or not.

Former South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje had hoped to avoid the cameras and mikes during cross-examination before the King Commission, probing charges into match-fixing. Last Wednesday, he got his lawyers to make an agreement with Live Africa News Network (LANN) and its team of lawyers demanding radio access.

In the Cape High Court, LANN was assured it could cover his statement live on radio (and TV), and would get access to his cross-examination... but only delayed, till he finished speaking each day.

Yet, he had quietly made another deal that after he gave his statement, Judge King would adjourn the commission.

Is there a degree of collusion between Cronje and Judge King? Some mistake surely.

In any case, if Cronje or Judge King thought the ruse would make it impossible for the cross-examination to be on radio and TV, they were probably wrong.

The three High Court judges are likely to accept that Judge King erred in placing a blanket ban or radio and TV (except where witnesses like Dr Ali Bacher actually wanted to be in the limelight).

Once the ruling comes at 11 am IST, LANN will set up its equipment in Judge King's hearing. It will be up to him to impose the minimum conditions to prevent a media circus -- though that is just what he did allow on Thursday.

Judge King made no effort to regulate the number of video and TV cameras, or microphones, as Cronje began to speak. Then his lawyers claimed in court the resultant melee proved Judge King's case. All it proved, said LANN's lawyers, was that one must regulate the cameras, not ban them.

Many doubt if Cronje will get a really hard time. Business Day has suggested that the hearings are designed not to reveal too much -- a comment quoted yesterday by Judge-President John Hlophe.

The newspaper suggested a form of cover-up -- all the more reason why the public should hear and see the proceeding on radio and TV, not just read about it in print or on the Internet.