Democratic Alliance chief whip Douglas Gibson has asked the Public Protector to investigate Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota over a breach of the code of ethics for executives.

Lekota was found guilty by parliament's ethics committee of failing to declare his business interests as an MP, but Gibson said he wanted Lekota to be investigated in the light of the code for ministers.

Gibson walked into the Cape Town office of Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana at lunchtime yesterday and asked him to investigate Lekota's failure to dispose of his business interests.

The MP handed the request to Shamiela Hattas, who said she would pass it on to advocate Gary Pienaar, Mushwana's representative in the Western Cape.

Gibson said t he code of ethics for members of the executive required that a minister should not hold a financial or business interest in a company.

The member may dispose of this interest or place the administration of the interest under the control of an independent or professional person or agency.

Such an agency or person may not have communication or take instructions from that member with respect to the interest.

"Minister Lekota quite clearly breached the executive ethics code, quite apart from his failure to disclose those same interests to parliament in his separate and additional position as an MP," Gibson said.

He said he had asked the Public Protector to take up the case because President Thabo Mbeki had failed to act.

Mbeki's office said it was waiting for parliament to conclude its process before the president acted.

Parliament is to adopt the ethics committee report today. It recommends that Lekota be fined a week's salary, R14 000, and sent a written reprimand by Speaker Frene Ginwala.

Lekota explained to parliament that he had intended to disclose his directorships and business interests, but had been negligent.

Gibson said he was confident that Mushwana would investigate the matter.

"I have no doubt that the Public Protector will go into the matter, as the law requires," Gibson said.

The ANC has said it is to call Lekota before a disciplinary hearing to face a charge of bringing the party to disrepute.

Meanwhile, the ethics committee has set June 25 as the deadline for members to disclose their assets, financial and business interests.

Forms are being distributed to MP's.

With acknowledgements to Charles Phahlane and the Cape Times.