/ 15 October 2003

Dept of Justice’s Tshishonga suspended

The Deputy Director General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mike Tshishonga — the former head of the Masters of the High Court Business Unit — has been suspended from his position.

This was confirmed by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Penuell Maduna’s acting spokesperson, Zolile Nqayi, on Wednesday.

However, Nqayi could not immediately provide further details of Tshishonga’s suspension.

About two weeks ago, Tshishonga alleged Maduna had abused his powers to land a friend, Enver Motala, lucrative liquidation appointments.

Maduna has expressed surprise at the claims, and said the appointment was, in fact, made at the request of the South African Revenue Service.

The Masters Business Unit’s brief includes the appointment of liquidators to handle insolvencies. Its fee amounts to up to 10% of the value of the spoils of an estate.

Tshishonga has alleged he was removed from his post at the unit in January, and redeployed in the department. — Sapa