'Fixing' inquiry demands tapes

Hansie Cronje (right) was fired as South African captain

The South African judicial inquiry into the Hansie Cronje affair has requested access to tape recordings being held as evidence by Indian police.

The tapes allegedly contain conversations between the disgraced South African former captain and a bookmaker.

It will avoid having to recall witnesses unnecessarily

Sports ministry spokesman Graham Abrahams

South Africa's sports ministry spokesman Graham Abrahams said: "We are working on a request, asking the department of foreign affairs to obtain access to the tapes."

Abrahams said the tapes would help the commission to prepare efficiently for the forthcoming hearings into the affair.

"It will avoid having to recall witnesses unnecessarily," he said. "The investigators are hard at work and the preparation is on track."

Cronje, Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Pieter Strydom were charged by Indian police on 7 April. They have all denied match-fixing.

Cronje was sacked as South Africa's captain after admitting taking money from a bookmaker to provide information.