Motlanthe asks Protector to probe allegations

Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe on Monday wrote to the Public Protector requesting her to investigate allegations made against him and his partner, Gugu Mtshali, the Presidency said. 

The allegations were contained in a Sunday Times report which claimed Mtshali had been implicated in soliciting a R104 million "bribe" to obtain government support for a South African company trying to clinch a R2 billion sanction-busting deal with Iran.

In a statement today, Motlanthe's office said both the Deputy President and Mtshali were firmly of the view that they have committed no wrong doing of any kind in relation to the alleged events described in the Sunday Times story. 

"Having regard to the serious nature of the allegations and imputations of the story, Deputy President Motlanthe is of the view that the issues should be subject to an investigation by the Public Protector," the Presidency said. 

The two will make themselves available to provide any information to the Public Protector should she decide to investigate the allegations. - BuaNews