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This is an archive article published on June 3, 2000

Cronje blames satan

CAPE TOWN, JUNE 2: Hansie Cronje, who was sacked as South Africa's cricket captain after admitting taking money from a bookmaker for provi...

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CAPE TOWN, JUNE 2: Hansie Cronje, who was sacked as South Africa’s cricket captain after admitting taking money from a bookmaker for providing information, has blamed his errant behaviour on Satan.

The bizarre confession is in possession of the commission of inquiry looking into the Cronje affair.

The confession, which was made to evangelist Ray McCauley, is couched in Biblical terms with references to Satan and Jesus.

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Cronje admits to having “taken his eyes off Jesus” when Satan approached him.

“In a moment of stupidity and weakness I allowed Satan and the world to dictate terms to me. The moment I took my eyes off Jesus my whole world turned dark,” the confession says.

The commission, which will be headed by retired Judge Edwin King, has confirmed the authenticity of the confession.

But commission secretary John Bacon asked the media to limit references to the document as the hearings have yet to start.

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The confession provides the first insight into Cronje’s justification for his behaviour, tracing his dedication to christianity.

Cronje became involved with “reborn” Christians after a girl darted in front of his car as he was travelling to Empangeni in Zululand for a provincial game in the early 1990s. The girl died.

A United Cricket Board of South Africa official confirmed the authenticity but declined to discuss any details of the “Satan” confession.

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