Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana has undertaken a "preliminary investigation" into allegations that the crime-busting unit, the Scorpions, was out to destroy former deputy president Jacob Zuma.

The investigation, called by National Prosecuting Authority head Vusi Pikoli last year, follows the apparent leaking of an affidavit to the media.

The document claimed that Zuma and his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, once shared a prostitute called Robin at R30 000 a month, at Nkobi Holdings'expense.

Amid fresh accusations by Zuma against the Scorpions, Mushwana's spokesperson, Selby Bokaba, confirmed that a preliminary investigation was under way and that "we are still determining the merits of the facts".

With acknowledgement to The Mercury.