South African cricket president Percy Sonn has been asked to explain his remarks by the national ruling body about disgraced former captain Hanse Cronje.

United Cricket Board of South Africa managing director Gerald Majola has called for a special meeting to question Sonn over a statement made earlier in the week.

Sonn apparently offered an olive branch to Cronje, who has been banned for life from playing cricket after admitting that he accepted bribes to fix matches.

"He is a son of South Africa cricket. He is entitled to the freedom and liberties of all South Africans and there is a place for him in our cricket," Sonn said on Wednesday.

But Majola insists that the comments were at odds with the UCBSA's position on Cronje.

"It is a shocking statement to hear that the president says that UCB has forgiven Hansie because the International Cricket Council has suspended Hansie for life," said Majola.

"So whatever we do we have to consult the ICC as well.

"But there will be a special meeting called to let him explain whether he was talking on behalf of the South African Board or whether it's his own personal opinion."