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Cassim's June 26 testimony

MR WITZ: immediately we received communication from Mr Cronjé's legal representatives we then cleared it with Advocate Batohi who was of the opinion that between herself and the investigating team there is a purpose to this Commission which is to enquire and make findings and report and make recommendations and she gave her full permission and utmost assistance and said you can make it available immediately to Mr Cronjé's legal team. This was done after we cleared it with Advocate Batohi. We faxed it to them, so they have been in possession of Mr Cassim's statement which we are going to hand in to you for a few weeks already before they commenced with these proceedings. And all this was done with the consent of Advocate Batohi and her investigating team. The only other aspects that we just wish to deal with before leading Mr Cassim's evidence is the following. It was agreed at our initial meeting, and it's always been the position with Advocate Batohi as well as the investigation team, especially in relation to Mr Blumberg and myself representing Mr Aronstam, who only came in at a later stage, and in particular Mr Cassim who is before you today, that all statements of interested parties, in order to prepare the matter, would be made available. We obviously understand that, for example, certain telephone lists and calls due to modern technology have only become available at a late stage but immediately they have become available we have had full assistance and cooperation from Advocate Batohi as well as the investigation team. They have made copies for us, provided us with copies; given us access to the transcript if necessary and we, from our point, that's Mr Blumberg and myself, we've got no objection with the way the proceedings have been conducted. We have had full cooperation and assistance. We obviously understand that sometimes documents do come late. Now the very, very last aspect that we just want to place on record, which is also important in the spirit and the way that the Commission has been so far and should be conducted, is that in essence the Commission have gone the proverbial extra mile to accommodate both Mr Blumberg and myself on behalf of our clients to provide all the documentation etc. And other than those preliminary points, which I have cleared up, I'd ask permission to call Mr Cassim to give evidence and to be sworn in. Thank you Mr Commissioner.

COMMISSIONER: Thank you Mr Witz.

MS BATOHI: Mr Commissioner before you swear in the witness perhaps it might be an appropriate stage for me to also place on record that on Friday afternoon after proceedings were postponed copies of the notes that my investigators took during consultations with Mr Aronstam were made available and were in fact handed to Mr Cronjé's team.

COMMISSIONER: Mr Cassim, are you prepared to take the oath.

MR CASSIM: Yes.

HAMID CASSIM: (sworn states)

EXAMINATION BY MR WITZ: Thank you Mr Commissioner. Mr Commissioner just before proceeding with the evidence I have arranged for the original affidavit, that is the one that was provided to the Commission as well as Mr Cronjé's legal team as well as all other legal representatives who needed a copy of same, to be handed in to you. That is the original affidavit attested to and signed by Mr Cassim. And then coupled with that there is a letter which I am just going to read into the record. This is from Mr Blumberg, the attorney, it is addressed to the United Cricket Board of South Africa, Wanderers Club, Corlett Drive, Johannesburg. At that stage we called it "Cronjé Inquiry", we weren't sure who was actually going to be sitting on the inquiry before it became the King Inquiry. It says as follows: "Dear Sirs....." and this is in response to a telephone conversation Mr Blumberg had with Ms Bronwyn Wilkinson - "I refer to our telephonic conversation today. I am representing Mr Hamid Cassim, who will no doubt be called to appear at the anticipated inquiry. It will be appreciated if you would advise me as soon as a decision is made as to the nature, time and venue of the inquiry. On behalf of my client I want to place on record that my client is prepared to offer his full cooperation to the authorities in regard to the inquiry, or any other authorities that will be investigating the matter. Due to the urgency and gravity of the matter I would appreciate it if you would address all correspondence directly to me at his fax number and call me on his mobile number. Yours sincerely. I W Blumberg" We would like that to form part of the record. A further aspect relating to this I did discuss this with my learned friend Adv Manca, who appears on behalf of the United Cricket Board, and he says they are aware of this. They have had this for some time in their possession. So there's no other statements floating around as might have been possibly suggested. They now have a full set of everything and they have this document. Thank you. Mr Cassim you have a statement in front of you, an affidavit which you've signed and which you've attested to, is that correct?

MR CASSIM: Correct.

MR WITZ: Do you adhere and confirm the contents of that affidavit which you've signed in Johannesburg?

MR CASSIM: Correct.

MR WITZ: Mr Cassim, for record purposes I intend taking you through the statement, reading the statement into the record and I will also take you through certain aspects in which I intend leading you especially in view of new documentation that's come to hand relating to this matter. With the leave of the Commission I would like you to start off by just reading into the record your affidavit, the first portion, and telling the Court your age, where you were born, and a little bit about your background, please. Take it slowly.

MR CASSIM: "I the undersigned, Hamid Cassim, an adult male, presently aged 46 years state as follows:

1. The facts herein contained are, save where otherwise apparent, both within my personal knowledge and belief and are true. 2. I have been requested to make a statement to the King Commission of Inquiry into cricket match-fixing and related matters. 3. BRIEF BACKGROUND HISTORY 3.1 I was born in Ophirton in Johannesburg and I attended school up until standard nine when my father died. I was then aged sixteen years and owing to circumstances when I was forced to leave

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