President Jacob Zuma has appointed Advocate Thulisile Madonsela as the new Public Protector, the presidency said.

The decision was made after a recommendation of the National Assembly, spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in a statement on Sunday,

Madonsela replaces advocate Lawrence Mushwana, whose non-renewable seven-year term expires this month.

"Advocate Madonsela takes on an important responsibility, having to protect South Africans against any abuse of power by state organs or officials," President Jacob Zuma said in the statement.

"She will need to ensure that this office continues to be accessible to ordinary citizens and undertakes its work without fear or favour."

Zuma thanked Mushwana, for the "excellent service he had rendered the country".

Madonsela recently served as a full-time member of the South African Law Reform Commission and has extensive experience in constitutional, human rights and equality law.

The Office of the Public Protector is an independent and impartial institution established in terms of Chapter 9 of the Constitution, to strengthen constitutional democracy by investigating alleged improper conduct by organs of state, facilitate resolution of disputes, and recommend remedial action.