The Public Protector's announcement follows a March 11 report in a South African national newspaper, the Sunday Times.

WSJ: South Africa Probes Deputy President

The public protector has risen out of the bureaucratic morass to become a breath of fresh air for a South African public clamouring for more accountability from their public servants and leaders.

BBC: South Africa's corruption crusader Thuli Madonsela

Mr. Motlanthe said last week that he and his partner, Ms. Mtshali, "are firmly of the view that they have committed no wrongdoing of any kind in relation to the alleged events, " and called on the public protector to initiate the investigation into the report.

WSJ: South Africa Probes Deputy President

"I am, and ever will be, a white-socks, pocket-protector, nerdy engineer, " he said in February 2000, in a rare public appearance.

BBC: US astronaut Neil Armstrong dies, first man on Moon