An independent Office of the Mangaung Ombudsman was announced to the media on Thursday 13 November – almost seven years after a council resolution by the Mangaung Metro.
The speaker of the metro, Lawrence Mathae, said the launch was a milestone for the municipality to improve service delivery.
“The office must be free and accessible to all residents and is set as a last resort before residents approach the public prosecutor,” he explained.
Mathae said it would be a powerful tool for residents to employ.
“It will contribute to transparency in municipal processes. The appointment is a bold step toward a more accountable municipality,” he believes.
Adv. Charlie Naidoo, general manager of the Mangaung Metro’s legal services, was appointed the interim ombudsman while the process of appointing an ombudsman is conducted.
Naidoo said prior to the public approaching the Office of the Ombudsman, all internal avenues must be exhausted. A resident must first have tried to resolve the matter; if this fails and the residen does not receive assistance, they may turn to the ombudsman. This is a last resort before approaching the court.
We will be doing our work without fear or favour.
We will be acting in the best interest of the citizens of Mangaung. – Adv. Charlie Naidoo
She confirmed that in setting up the office, they would be engaging with stakeholders like the Public Protector, the Human Rights Commission (HRC), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), as well as the different departments of the municipality.
“We will commence extensive internal and external engagement with stakeholders to set up operating procedures. We are here to improve service delivery and to make sure that bylaws are adhered to,” she said at the news conference at the Bram Fischer Building.
“We will be doing our work without fear or favour. We will be acting in the best interest of the citizens of Mangaung.”
Dirk Kotze, DA councillor in the Mangaung Metro, said the DA welcomed the interim Office of the Mangaung Ombudsman.
“This is a long-overdue step towards accountability, fairness and improved service delivery in the metro.”
Kotze explained that after the decision to the establish an ombudsman’s office was approved in May 2018, the process was derailed by ANC factional battles and the inaction of Adv. Thandiso Mea, the city manager at the time.
In August 2022, the DA tabled a motion calling for the urgent establishment of the ombudsman’s office, which was unanimously supported by all councillors. Yet, despite the council’s clear mandate, three years passed without any implementation, apparently due to a lack of political will from Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi, as well as continued administrative delays.
“The appointment of Adv. Charlie Naidoo as the interim ombudsman is therefore a significant victory for the DA and for the residents of Mangaung, who deserve a functioning, independent mechanism to resolve complaints of maladministration, unfair treatment and poor service delivery,” said Kotze.
He stressed that the effectiveness and credibility of the ombudsman’s office woudl depend entirely on its freedom from political interference.
Residents who have exhausted all other channels, can contact the Office of the Mangaung Ombudsman or 051 405 8692, or visit the office at the Bram Fischer Building, on the third floor, room 304.
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