The Public Protector in South Africa is one of six independent state institutions set up by the country's Constitution to support and defend democracy.

[11] The office of the Public protector has been faced with harsh criticism by parliament specifically by the majority party[12] for requesting an increase of R200m in the budget allocation for additional resources.

[16] On 11 September 2023, National Assembly voted to impeach Busisiwe Mkhwebane, with 318 in support, 43 against and one abstention; her removal comes a month prior to the end of a 7-year non-renewable term.

These institutions are independent of the government, subject only to South Africa's Constitution and the law, and report annually to Parliament.

The Act also gives the Public Protector the authority to order other state institutions to take appropriate remedial action against any impropriety or prejudice made by government.

These institutions are independent of the government, subject only to South Africa's Constitution and the law, and report annually to Parliament.

Some functions include (but are not limited to): The Public Protector is appointed by the president, in accordance with the provisions of section 193 of the Constitution.

The candidate must be a South African citizen who- " " – Sub-s. (1A) Act 23 of 1994 Under chapter nine of the constitution, the Public Protector may only serve a non-renewable period of seven years in office.

The executive management of the office of the Public Protector has held meetings with development partners from German, Japan and Belgium.