NEW Scorpions boss Vusi Pikoli is in a pickle.

He is the central figure in a row over allegations of fraud and corruption in the liquidations sector, where a heavy police investigation is under way.

Pikoli, who is now National Director of the National Prosecuting Authority, was Director-General in the Department of Justice when the liquidations scandal erupted.

One allegation against him is that he stood by and did nothing despite being told more than once of the fraud going on under his nose. The liquidations furore has hit the headlines again because Leon Lategan, a controversial official in the Master’s Office in Pretoria, appointed Enver Motala, a liquidator, to a fresh estate on January 3, 2005.

Mr Lategan was sidelined in May last year, after Mike Tshishonga, a Justice Department deputy director general, made serious allegations in October 2003. The allegations focused on then-Justice Minister Penuell Maduna, but Mr Lategan was the common denominator.

Mr Tshishonga, then MD of the Master’s Business Unit, alleged that Mr Maduna, who quit as Justice Minister after the 2004 elections had a “nepotistic” relationship with Mr Motala. On July 2, 2004, the Serious Economic Offences Unit (SEOU) arrested Mr Motala on allegations of fraud and corruption.

Eight others, including employees in the Master’s Office, were also arrested as alleged recipients of bribes allegedly paid by Mr Motala.

Last month, the case against Mr Motala was provisionally withdrawn to allow the SEOU to complete a forensic investigation.

With acknowledgement to The Citizen and Barry Sergeant.