Pretoria - Justice Minister Penuell Maduna expressed surprise yesterday at claims that he had used his influence in his department to land a friend a lucrative liquidation appointment.

Maduna said the appointment was made at the request of the SA Revenue Service (Sars), and there had been no need for him to intervene, as a justice official opted to appoint the friend anyway, Maduna said.

The allegations against Ma-duna came from justice deputy director-general Mike Tshishonga, former head of the Master Business Unit.

The unit's brief included the appointment of liquidators to handle insolvencies. Their fee amounted to up to 10% of the value of the spoils of an estate.

Tshishonga claimed Maduna sought to influence him early last year to appoint liquidator Enver Motala in the insolvency of the Retail Apparel Group (RAG) in Pietermaritzburg.

The official did not comply with the minister's alleged wishes. Tshishonga contended that the minister intervened to appoint Motala, despite not having the authority to do so.

Two court rulings had since confirmed that Maduna had acted outside the scope of his authority, Tshishonga said.

He said Maduna called him on January 28 to remove him from his post at the Master Business Unit, telling him he would be redeployed. Tshishonga, who retained his rank as deputy director-general, said yesterday: "There are questionable relationship and practices between Motala and the minister."

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Cape Times.