South Africa doesn't have enough good people, and if the media continue to question the integrity of those who come forward in sacrifice for public office, the country will fall short of "quality brains".

This extraordinary position was presented by Smuts Ngonyama, head of the ANC presidency, after learning that advocate Seth Nthai had withdrawn his nomination for the post of public protector.

Nthai, the former MEC for safety and security in Limpopo, withdrew his name a day after The Star had revealed allegations of his shocking extravagance with public money.

Commenting on Nthai's withdrawal, Ngonyama said: "We don't have many good people. We have a number of challenges and we have to be very careful in the manner we treat those who are prepared to make sacrifices for our country.

"Our country will actually fall short of high-quality brains when a good person is attacked and his integrity questioned... It is not good for our country. We need to protect those who want to make sacrifices."

"It's a pity he has withdrawn. He's an advocate and a well-learned man with reputable credentials," Ngonyama said.

Earlier this week, The Star revealed how, while MEC for safety and security in the then Northern Province, Nthai was actively involved in purchasing a building for R18,6-million to house his department when it was worth R8,1-million.

The inflated price was discovered by the Semenya commission of inquiry. One of the witnesses at the commission said Nthai's specifications for the building was for a lift going directly from the basement to his office, and a private bathroom adjacent to his office.

He was also accused of using state vehicles to send his drycleaning to Johannesburg from Polokwane, a distance of over 300km.

On Wednesday, before answering any questions before the committee screening candidates for the public protector position, Nthai said: "I have been reflecting on my nomination and have decided that I will serve my country better if I am left where I am. Therefore I am withdrawing my nomination."

He lashed out at The Star's story, entitled "Can this man protect the SA public?" He denied that the article had led to his withdrawal.

"I have on my own taken this decision, taking into consideration my personal circumstances and what I am doing. I came to this at the weekend, before the newspaper reports came out," Nthai said.

He said that if journalists had read "privileged" documents, they would have realised there was no substance to the claims about him. He said the article contained allegations, not facts. "The journalist is confusing fact and fiction."

With acknowledgements to Charles Phahlane, Sapa and The Star.