Advocate Seth Nthai, the man tipped to replace Selby Baqwa as the new public protector, has a controversial past.

Is he the right man to look after the interests of the public, or would the public need to be protected from the public protector - if indeed he gets the job?

African National Congress secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe nominated Nthai to be public protector.

A special ad hoc committee of parliament has shortlisted 10 candidates for the job but must, in the end, recommend one candidate to parliament.

As a former ANC MEC for safety and security in then Northern Province (now Limpopo), Nthai - described as a "survivalist" - was embroiled in several controversies.

The purchase of a building to house his department at a cost of R18,6-million - which the Semenya Commission of Inquiry, probing corruption in the provincial government, was told was worth only R8,1-million - stands out.

The inflated price of the building was uncovered by the commission.

The building was purchased from businessman Jimmy Kourtoumbellides, who later admitted he had bought a house in Pietersburg (now named Polokwane) that was used as ANC provincial offices.

While Nthai initially argued that purchasing buildings was a responsibility of the public works department, the commission later heard that Nthai actively participated in providing his own specifications for the building.

Some of the specifications Nthai made included a private bathroom next to his office. He also allegedly ordered an exclusive lift from his parking lot to his office.

Quantity surveyor Mike South told the commission in 1997: "The lift was designed exclusively for Nthai, and it starts from the MEC's parking area in the basement and goes directly to his office."

The commission had also found that no evaluation was done before the building was purchased.

Following media pressure, Nthai was instructed by Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi to close his law office in Pretoria while he was an MEC.

In addition, Nthai was accused of being the most "extravagant of MECs" in the province because he allegedly used lavish accommodation while on business.

He was also accused of sending state drivers to take his clothes to Exclusive Dry Cleaners in Rosebank, Johannesburg, using state vehicles and drivers.

Nthai confirmed he was particular about the way his clothes were cleaned, but denied he had misused state resources.

He also maintained that he never provided specifications about private lifts and bathrooms. He said specifications were made by a police team from Pretoria, with consideration for security.

Motlanthe said: "It is my conviction that he (Nthai) is the right man for the job. I'm not sure he will accept my nomination, but I hope he does."

With acknowledgements to Makhudu Sefara and The Star.