Cronje was paid until end of April

Hansie Cronje's contract with the United Cricket Board was not terminated immediately after his early morning confession to UCB managing director Ali Bacher and sacking as captain in April, it has emerged.

In terms of his contract with the UCB he continued be remunerated by UCB until the end of April when his contract expired. His contract was not renewed when the UCB negotiated new contracts with national players starting from May 1.

This explains an apparent discrepancy in the UCB's handling of Cronje and Herschelle Gibbs, who has admitted accepting an offer from Cronje to give his wicket away cheaply in a one-day international in India in March.

Gibbs has been withdrawn from the South African team to tour Sri Lanka next month, but continues to be paid his salary by the UCB.

"It is true that many people believed that Mr Cronje's contract was terminated with immediate effect in the middle of April," said UCB spokeswoman Bronwyn Wilkinson on Sunday. "But this was a misunderstanding. He received his benefits at the end of April, but his contract was not renewed thereafter.

"In the case of Mr Gibbs he will continue to receive benefits until such time that disciplinary action, if any, is taken against him by the UCB."

It is certain that Gibbs will have to face a disciplinary hearing for his role in the "Hansiegate" scandal, but this will probably only take place once the King commission has finished its hearings and delivered its recommendations.

The hearings are scheduled to recommence at 9.30am on Monday with Bacher giving his evidence.

It has been widely speculated that Cronje may take the stand on Wednesday, but this might depend on him accepting an offer indemnifying him from criminal prosecution in South Africa.