The Public Protector is apparently living in fear after receiving a tip off that her life is in danger.

JOHANNESBURG - Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is apparently living in fear after receiving a tip off that her life is in danger.

The Sunday Times is reporting that a prominent Western Cape gang boss has been paid R740,000 to arrange a hit on Madonsela.

The publication also says the Public Protector has beefed up security at her home and has restricted her movements.

The Sunday Times says Madonsela received a warning from a police informant that the gang boss and three hit men were planning to kill her next month, in a hit made to seem like a car accident.

Madonsela told the paper she alerted police.

Last month, as the Public Protector was preparing to go to the International Jazz Festival in Cape Town, she received a text message from an informant, again warning her to be careful as her life was at stake.

The whistle blower then handed the information over to Western Cape Community Safety MEC Dan Plato.

Plato confirmed to the paper that the threat was reported to him.