Ombudsman feels worthless

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday, Augustine Makgonatsotlhe said at the moment his office was overwhelmed by complaints from civil servants.

“Sixty-percent (60%) of complaints are from the public service, but when you look at our mandate, the provision speaks about complaints received from members of the public,” he said of their narrow focus on maladministration complaints from public members, as experienced in government ministries, departments and parastatals. Furthermore, most of the cases brought forth by government employees border on issues of corruption as well as injustice and unfairness in promotions and progression in the work place, he explained to PAC. Therefore, he appealed that the mandate of the Ombudsman be extended to all members of the public including public employees, as that is the essence of public protectors in other jurisdictions; to guard against maladministration across the public sphere, especially public authorities.