THE SANDF’S FIRST MILITARY OMBUDSMAN SWORN IN-14 MAY 2012
15 May 2012
The office of the South African Military
Ombudsman was launched yesterday (Monday, 14 May
2012) and is to be headed by Lieutenant-General
Themba Matanzima, who was sworn in as the first
military ombudsman (Ombud) at Thaba Tshwane. The
mandate of Office is to investigate complaints
lodged in writing by-
- a member regarding his or her conditions
of service;
- a former member regarding his or her
conditions of service;
- a member of the public regarding the
official conduct of a member of the Defence
Force; or
- a person acting on behalf of a member.
For the purposes of this section,
conditions of service bear the same meaning
assigned to it under section 1 of the Defence
Act, 2002 (Act No. 42 of 2002), as amended.
The office of the Ombud is to contribute
materially as a last recourse for the complaints
and grievances management within the military.
It will serve as a mechanism independent of the
Military Command structure. The Ombud office is
expected to exercise oversight of the defence
sector and help to ensure that the military
observes principles and practices of good
governance- thereby reducing vulnerability and
victimisation.
The Military Ombud will independently
investigate complaints lodged fairly and
expeditiously without fear, favour or prejudice
to ensure the Department complies with the
determination of alternative resolutions. It is
an institutional form adopted to enhance the
effectiveness of the military by making it
accountable and responsive. The independence of
the Military Ombud Office from Military Command
reflects an adherence to principles basic in the
military system-that the military is an
instrument of civilian authority as embodied in
the country’s Constitution.
Furthermore, the Ombud office will
complement, rather than compete with existing
internal redress procedures within the SANDF.
For effective management, officers will first
hear and have first opportunity to remedy
complaints and grievances of those under their
command.
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