President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane from the office of the Public Protector.

Mkhwebane was suspended effective from 9 June 2022, the presidency said in a statement on Thursday.

“Section 194(3) (a) of the Constitution provides that the President may suspend the Public Protector (or any member of a Chapter 9 institution) at any time after the start of proceedings by a committee of the National Assembly for [their] removal”.

“Advocate Mkhwebane will remain suspended until the section 194 process in the National Assembly has been completed’,” Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.

The deputy public protector will perform the functions of the office in her place.