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For Hansie Cronje it is purgatory!

As international cricket chiefs meet in London to probe match-fixing, disgraced former South African captain Hansie Cronje is living the life of a tortured recluse.

Cronje, sacked after admitting accepting money from a bookmaker, has gone into seclusion in one of the country's most expensive and exclusive golfing resorts.

After changing address twice in his home town of Bloemfontein in the quest for privacy, Cronje has taken refuge in the luxury 3.2 million rand (470,000 dollars) house he bought recently at Fancourt Country Estate, near the town of George, on the south coast.

Despite two of the finest championship golf courses in the country and some of the most attractive scenery in the foothills of the Outeniqua mountains, Cronje has hardly been seen.

Not even the resort's fully equiped gymnasium and health centre has been enough to entice the notorious exerciser out of hiding.

''He used to play golf but no one sees him now,'' a local caddie said. ''We all know he is here but no one sees him. Just the lights in the house at night.''

''We respect the privacy of all our residents and we are all feeling a bit tense because of the business surrounding Hansie at the moment,'' resort marketing manager Nadia Abrahamse said.

A security guard patrols the front entrance to Cronje's luxury house and is charged with preventing unwanted visitors from approaching.

On one occasion when he did emerge from the house, Cronje was asked how he was faring. ''Okay,'' he replied, but the taught lines in his face and dark eyes told a different story.

''I can't say anything. I will speak after the inquiry but I cannot talk until then. If I spoke now then I would have to speak to everyone. Until then everything must go through my attorney,'' Cronje said.

Cronje was initially photographed without his permission and demanded the film, but later agreed to pose briefly after admonishing photographer Anne Laing.

But even Cronje's fancourt hide-away has not provided him with the privacy he so desires, lacking curtains in most rooms and with immature trees and shrubs in the garden which hide little from public view.

The only person seen less in public than Cronje since his fall from grace is his wife Bertha who is believed to be with him at the moment but has not been seen since their arrival over a week ago.

Although the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) promised an urgent inquiry into Cronje's alleged match-fixing involvement, nothing has yet been announced.

For Hansie Cronje it is purgatory. At least when his level of guilt is decided his life can move on. With a resigned and weary face he dialled a number on his telephone as his unscheduled visitors departed. ''Security...Please...''

Agencies