However, whereas Ngcuka had a personal, social and political relationship with Mbeki, Pikoli did not.

Pikoli allegedly also felt that because he held the key to de-termine the prosecution of ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma, he was an "Mbeki man".

However, a sticking point for Pikoli was that despite his struggle credentials, he re-mained a bureaucrat and not a political heavyweight in the post-apartheid government.

Government spokesman Themba Maseko said Mbeki had called for an inquiry into Pikoli.

Sources say the Justice Ministry is waiting for the Presidency to draw up the terms of references for the inquiry into Pikoli, which should be final-ised this week.

It's expected that a retired judge could be appointed to head the inquiry.

With acknowledgement to Cape Argus.