The South African Military Ombud Office will gather diverse stakeholders from Africa and role players in South Africa in hosting its Annual Military Ombud Symposium to mark its 10th year Anniversary on Friday 11 November 2022 at the Royal Elephant Hotel Centurion. The Symposium will be held under the theme: “The Role of the Ombud in providing oversight within the Civil-Military Architecture: Threats, Resilience, Responsiveness and Future Implications”.
The renowned leaders and experts within the armed forces, civil service and academia in the continent will engage in a narrative to debate and deliberate on the best practices to be applied to enhance civil-military oversight by Ombud institutions.
The Office was created in 2012 with the mandate of investigating complaints lodged in writing by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members and former members regarding their conditions of service. The mandate also entertain the members of the public who want to lodge a complaint regarding the official conduct of SANDF.
“It is at this symposium that we will be able to reflect on the positives and challenges we encountered along the way. We have seen serving members using our Office as an Institution of complaints resolution pertaining to their conditions of service. Members of the public also used our services when pertaining to the conduct of SANDF members on duty,” said the Military Ombud, Lt Gen (Ret) Vusumuzi Masondo.
Speakers on the day will include Dr M.B. Khanyile: Director (CEMIS)-Stellenbosch University, Mr C. Nissen: Commissioner – South African Human Rights Commission, Prof S. Fikeni: Chairperson – Public Service Commission, South Africa, Mr N. Sendall: Chief Director – Defence Policy, Strategy and Planning, South Africa and Adjutant Gen E.Z. Mnisi, Acting Head-Defence Legal Division Services.
The discussion topics will address, but not limited to: How can ombudsman institutions build trust and manage the expectations of complainants? Why are armed forces personnel reluctant to complain, even when they acknowledge they have a problem? How do ombudsmen institutions overcome the reluctance to complain? In what ways can ombudsman institutions determine if their efforts to break down barriers are working? In what ways can ombudsman institutions promote inclusive armed forces and protection of vulnerable groups, both in the armed forces and members of the public? In what ways can ombudsman institutions protect their independence and distinctiveness through mutual support, cooperation and joint activity?
The Office has also been a key role player and active participant internationally as a member of the International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for Armed Forces (ICOAF) where it presented papers on different topics over the years.
Source: Government of South Africa