Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is to be asked to investigate President Jacob Zuma’s use of an airliner and two helicopters for a short "holiday" break on the Mozambican island of Bazaruto.

This follows reports that Mr Zuma used at least three air-force craft to transport himself to the luxury island getaway.

On Thursday Democratic Alliance defence spokesperson David Maynier said he would ask Ms Madonsela to probe the case.

She has also been asked to probe the holiday flight in December to the Seychelles by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

Mr Maynier said the facts were reportedly as follows: a Falcon 50, operated by the air force’s Squadron 21 (VIP), transported Mr Zuma to Vilanculos International Airport in Mozambique; and two Oryx helicopters, operated by the air force, then transported the president from Vilanculos International Airport to Bazaruto Island.

"The president’s spokesperson, Mac Maharaj, reportedly claims that everything was done according to the rules. However, the rules are, bizarrely, classified and set out, depending on who you believe, in a secret 'president handbook' or an appendix to a Cabinet minute. In the end, the public should not be expected to fork out millions of rands to pay for presidential holidays.

"If (British) Prime Minister David Cameron can use a discount airline for his holiday, why can’t President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe... ?"

Mr Motlanthe has said his trip was in line with the rules, approved by the Cabinet in 2007, which made the state responsible for the travel and security of the president and the deputy president regardless of whether the occasion for travel was official or not. He was replying to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday.