Back-
Military Ombud meets with the Ombudsman of Malawi
The Office of South African Military Ombud Lt Gen (Ret) Vusumuzi Masondo held a meeting on the 2nd March 2023, with the Ombudsman of Malawi, Hon Grace Tinkambenji Malera who was in the country on a study visit and to learn lessons learnt concerning the sectoral ombudsman office.
The study visit by the Malawi Ombudsman was aimed at providing a platform for them to get insights into the general functionality and operations of the sector ombudsman and other emerging issues related to the matter.
Speaking during the meeting Masondo said one of their ambitions is to see other countries in Africa having a dedicated Military Ombud Institution providing oversight over their armed forces. “It is for this reason that we have initiated a project called the African Footprint to encourage the establishment of similar comparable oversight institutions over the armed forces in the continent,” said Masondo.
Masondo highlighted that the approach taken towards the African Footprint Project depends on the political context and legislative framework facing each country, and his Office strives to share knowledge on the Office model as a benchmark for consideration.
He said the establishment of military ombud institutions must be anchored in law through an Act of Parliament, which would ensure operational independence.
Ombudsman Malera said they chose the Office to host them for the purpose of getting insights and opinions on how to improve the compliance rate within the existing legal framework and to seek suggestions on the ongoing review of their Ombudsman Act. “Your institution has been selected due to its unique mandate and functions as well as experiences,” said Malera.
In his conclusion, Masondo said he is encouraged to see a country like Malawi choosing the Office as part of its benchmarking process and he is looking forward to a cooperation between their institutions through the sharing of best practices.
The Office of the South African Military Ombud was established in 2012 to investigate and ensure that complaints against the SANDF are resolved in a fair, economical and expeditious manner. The Office is entrusted with the responsibility of investigating complaints brought by members of the SANDF who are not satisfied with their conditions of service. The Office also investigates complaints brought by members of the public against SANDF personnel on their official conduct.
Source: The Office of the South African Military Ombud
