CAPE TOWN - South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe on Monday denied press reports that he and his partner Gugu Mtshali were involved in a bribery linked to a deal with Iran.

"Both Deputy President Motlanthe and Ms Mtshali are firmly of the view that they have committed no wrongdoing of any kind in relation to the alleged events described in the Sunday Times story, " Motlanthe's office said in a statement.

The Sunday Times newspaper reported that Mtshali had been implicated in soliciting a 104- million-rand (13.4 million dollars) "bribe" to obtain government support for a South African company trying to clinch a two-billion-rand (about 26.7 million dollars) deal with Iran in violation of US-imposed sanctions against the Islamic republic.

The report alleged that Mtshali, former De Beers executive Raisaka Masebelanga, and others met with representatives of 360 Aviation to solicit the bribe in an attempt to secure the deal to allow a front company to supply US-made Bell helicopters and spare parts to the National Iranian Oil Company via South Africa.

The alleged deal reportedly failed because 360 Aviation could not reach an agreement with the National Iranian Oil Company.

In response to the allegations, Motlanthe's office said the deputy president takes the issue seriously and has asked Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to conduct an investigation.

"Having regard to the serious nature of the allegations and imputations of the story, Deputy President Motlanthe is of the view that the issues should be subject to an investigation by the public protector," his office said.

"The deputy president and Ms Mtshali will make themselves available to provide any information to the public protector should she decide to investigate the allegations."