DEPUTY President Kgalema Motlanthe has approached the public protector to investigate allegations that his partner Gugu Mtshali was involved in a R104-million bribe scandal.

Motlanthe's office released a statement yesterday indicating that he had written to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to investigate after the Sunday Times published a report about Mtshali's alleged involvement in a deal to secure government support for a company trying to secure a R2-billion sanctions busting business.

According to the report, Mtshali and Motlanthe's associates held a meeting with delegates of 360 Aviation in Johannesburg to discuss buying government support for the deal on February 17 2011.

The plan, which failed, would have resulted in 360 Aviation setting up a front company which would have supplied US-made Bell helicopters to the National Iranian Oil Company.

Motlanthe's office yesterday distanced him and Mtshali from the alleged deal.

"Both Deputy President Motlanthe and Ms Mtshali are firmly of the view that they have committed no wrong-doing of any kind in relation to the alleged events," his office said.