President working on protector's report: Maharaj

President Jacob Zuma will not be 'haphazard' in responding to the Public Protector's reports on lease deals for two new office buildings for the police, the presidency said on Monday.

"The president takes the report very seriously, which is why he has decided not to take hasty or haphazard decisions," presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

"Due process is being followed and people have been given an opportunity to respond as required in terms of the law."

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, who released her second report on the leases in July, has given Zuma until Monday to respond.

Madonsela's first report, released in February, was on her investigation into the Sanlam-Middestad building in Pretoria, which was leased for R500 million.

The second report examined the R1.1 billion agreement to lease Transnet Tower in Durban.

Madonsela found that the department of public works had deviated from the tender process, that the lease agreements were not at the market rate, and that businessman Roux Shabangu had allegedly pressured officials to finalise the deals.

She called on Zuma to take action against Minister of Public Works Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, police commissioner General Bheki Cele and senior officials involved in the deals.

Maharaj said it was difficult to say what Zuma was doing because it could prejudice those affected by the report.

Zuma would make his decision known in due course, he said.

Earlier on Monday, Madonsela told the Cape Town Press Club that she had not received a reply from the Cabinet on her reports.

"If we don't get an answer and it's clear they do not want to co-operate, then we will subpoena," she said.

"That is the power we have been given. It is similar to a court of law."

Cabinet was also given 60 days to respond to Madonsela's second report on the Transnet Tower lease agreement.

Cabinet had only one deadline, Wednesday, she said.

"That is the deadline for the minister of public works to present her case to the Cabinet. I do not want to prejudge that. Until I have heard from the Cabinet secretary I am not in position to say more," said Madonsela.