Former defence minister Terror Lekota will get state bodyguards until next Wednesday, after which he must motivate why he needs them for longer, the department of safety and security said on Friday.

"The Minister is mindful of the precedent that may be set by acceding to such a request in that other former political office bearers may expect or demand similar protection," department spokesperson Trevor Bloem said in a statement.

Lekota was among a number of Cabinet ministers who resigned when former president Thabo Mbeki resigned in September.

He was entitled to a month of protection after that, but believes his life is in danger because of threats he has received as a leader of the ANC breakaway group the Congress of the People.

The guards were taken away from him earlier this week, but the department reinstated them on Wednesday for seven days.

He also has seven days to file his motivation to keep them.

Sapa