The office of the Military Ombud has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The MOU will, according to a statement, pave the way for collaboration and co-operation as far as complaints falling within the mandate of both. Additionally, it will also see better information sharing and “enhance the efficiency of both institutions”.
Military Ombud, retired general Temba Matanzima sees the MOU as important because both his office and the PSC are integral to the promotion of good governance, professional and ethical leadership.
“I am positive this co-operation will go a long way to restoring the dignity of people who find themselves seeking help from these two offices.”
Advocate Richard Sizani, PSC chair, pointed to the recent Cabinet lekgotla where improvements in efficiency and co-ordination were emphasised. The Ombud/PSC MOU was a step toward realising this objective.
Since its establishment just over five years ago, the Ombud has dealt with more than 1 500 cases. These have seen Matanzima and his staff find solutions to problems with promotions, post grading, terminations of service, dismissal, pay progression and deployment.
The Military Ombud was initially based in offices in Kasteelpark, east of Defence Headquarters but a year later moved to offices in Centurion’s Ecopark to be completely apart from any Department of Defence or SANDF facilities or offices.
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