So many questions left unanswered

A few weeks ago I made a decision that I would not give the King Commission any more exposure, but I have had such a gutful of what’s being going down lately, that my poison pen (computer these days) can’t resist the temptation any longer.

How can something that was so explosive in the early days peter out to eventually be an embarrassment?

There is a real danger of the King Commission never sitting again, leaving many questions unanswered.

I made a comment at the beginning of the investigation into corruption that South Africa’s endeavours were so important because the way the rest of the world had handled this matter was appalling. I was convinced that this would be the only one completed efficiently and thoroughly. Have I got egg on my face!

On Monday of this week, the 19th February, passed yet another date that action was due to recommence at the Centre for the Bookies…….er…….Centre for the Book in Cape Town. Again nothing! This is the fifth time that the hearings have been postponed!

Cronje’s legal team have dealt the perfect stalling hand again, this time questioning the legality of the King Commission, citing a recent high profile case involving Judge Heath as a precedent.

It seems everyone threw their hands up in the air and agreed in unison that things cannot continue under this cloud. Surely for the sake of finality and to eventually terminate this festering cancer in South Africa, exactly the opposite should have happened! Someone needed to stand up and be counted in order to thrash this latest tactic out to enable continuance.

Nothing can be more annoying for legal eagles than getting their teeth into an intriguing case and then suffering enormous frustration as they hit a solid brick wall and eventually a stalemate. This is exactly the situation as it stands now.

One massive problem we are facing at the moment, which is a microcosm of our current South African culture and mentality, is that it suits so many people for the King Commission to just disappear into thin air. Take no prisoners – we are world leaders in that sport!

This exposure of corruption in South African cricket has been a serious blight on this country and placed Minister for Sport Ngconde Balfour under severe pressure. He wants this wound up as soon as possible.

Dr Ali Bacher, after his interesting accusations during the early sittings, is of the same opinion.

The United Cricket Board’s legal fees have reached astronomical proportions and this might just be the real reason for wanting closure. The innocent players who were summoned have also raked up serious legal bills, and at this stage no one knows who is going to sign that cheque – maybe more financial depletion from the UCB.

Everyone must have realised this was going to be an expensive exercise from the start and far better planning should have gone into proceedings.

As we stand, there are so many questions left unanswered, the most pressing being, “ Has Cronje given “full disclosure?” Judge King, as we were so fervently informed at the beginning, must rule on this to provide Cronje with indemnity from prosecution.

Yes, we are all sick to death of this cancer but finality and therefore closure is imperative.

You cannot play cricket without balls – it seems this is not the case regarding the King Commission!