The office of the public protector’s chief operating officer (COO), Basani Baloyi, has been axed by Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

She has also suspended four senior officials and investigators: executive manager Pona Mogaladi, chief investigator Abongile Madiba, chief investigator Lesedi Sekele, and senior investigator Tebogo Kekana, News24 reports.

Office of the public protector CEO Vussy Mahlangu said in a letter that Baloyi lacks the skills or conduct for his position, the publication reports.

Mkhwebane’s office has suffered various blows in the recent past with many of her reports being successfully taken for review.