Public Protector Thuli Madonsela suspects that the motive behind the investigation into claims that she is a spy could lead to her suspension, Eyewitness News reported on Wednesday.

“I think that the motive was to make me ask for an investigation and then for the president to have a reason to request me to go on a sabbatical or for the president to suspend me pending an investigation,” she told the radio station.

The State Security Agency (SSA) was wrong to say it would investigate “just because someone has made these claims”.

The probe was an attempt to undermine her office, she said.

“We look at things and if it’s not accompanied by anything we could work with, we don’t follow it.”

Spy claims against Madonsela, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, former Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko, and leader of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union Joseph Mathunjwa emerged last week.

SSA spokesman Brian Dube said allegations against them led the agency to africainteligenceleaks.wordpress.com, and other social media platforms.

Madonsela said she would go to court over the matter if the agency did not change course, according to the report.

Madonsela said: “What we would have expected is to investigate the crime behind the allegations because you really don’t need to be rocket scientists to see that these are shenanigans in an attempt to slander people.” SAPA