PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma says there is no secret police investigation into Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.

Zuma's new spokesperson, Mac Maharaj, said yesterday: "The ministers of Police as well as Justice and Constitutional Development have confirmed to the president that their departments are not undertaking an investigation against the Public Protector."

Last week the media reported that the police planned to arrest Madonsela on charges of fraud, allegedly because when she was a commissioner at the South African Law Reform Commission her business also worked for the commission. But Justice Minister Jeff Radebe quickly rubbished suggestions that Madonsela had acted improperly, saying her business had consulted for the commission and there was no conflict of interest.

Maharaj also hinted that Zuma believed the police should protect Madonsela so that she could continue investigating corruption.

"The Constitution also states that other organs of state, through legislative and other measures, must assist and protect these institutions to ensure the independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness of these institutions, and that no person or organ of state may interfere with the functioning of these institutions."

The president's statement came as Madonselaswas set to meet the speaker of Parliament, Max Sisulu, today over her request to be provided with bodyguards.

Madonsela told Sowetanthat she had asked for bodyguards in the past, but though the police did a security-risk assessment in January last year they never came back to her with feedback.

Sisulu said last week Madonsela "must be able to perform her functions without fear, favour or any hindrance" and that he would meet Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa this week to discuss alleged threats to her security.

It appears unlikely that Sisulu will order Mthethwa to provide Madonsela with protection. His spokesperson, Sukthi Naidoo, said he could not order security for Madonsela and would mainly be "following up" with Mthethwa on her request for bodyguards.

Police spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo refused to say why Madonsela's security had been assessed more than 16 months ago by the police, but she had since then not been given feedback.

Meanwhile, Azapo has lashed out at Mthethwa, saying he must "come clean and stop lying to the nation".

Azapo spokesperson Gaontebale Nodoba said yesterday that evidence showed that Madonsela was under police surveillance.