DA Chief Whip Douglas Gibson said on Monday he is disappointed that Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana rejected his request to investigate if Deputy President Jacob Zuma contravened the Executive Ethics Code.

He said Mushwana could easily ascertain whether Zuma declared loans from his financial adviser, Durban businessman Schabir Shaik.

"It would be a sad day for the prestige of the Office of the Public Protector if the public gained the impression that the Public Protector's Office will avoid at all costs investigating a matter at this stage which cries out for investigation," he added.

Mushwana said the complaint did not contain sufficient information to justify an investigation, as it appeared to be based only on "numerous allegations" that had mostly been made by the media, and the "contents of a draft charge sheet in a criminal matter".

Many of the allegations appear not to have been substantiated, while some are still being investigated, he said.

"It will therefore be possible to determine whether or not the code has been breached only once it has been established whether Mr Zuma received certain gifts or had an interest in the matters in question."

With acknowledgements to Sapa and The Natal Witness.