June 2013 - Department of Defence

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S A S O L D I E ReventsThe official opening of theMilitary Ombud’s OfficeBy Cpl Ally RakomaPhotos: Sgt Elias MahumaThe launch of the MilitaryOmbud’s Office last yearon 14 May 2012, under theleadership of Lt Gen (Ret)Temba Matanzima, was aremarkable event for the SANational Defence Force.A year after his appointment asSouth Africa’s first Military Ombud,Lt Gen (Ret) Matanzima, and his staffmembers officially took possessionof the Eco Fusion Office Park inHighveld in Centurion near Pretoriaduring a ceremony held on 14 May2013.The Military Ombud’s first yearof operations was conducted fromtemporary accommodation, andwhile complaints were received anddealt with, staffing has been themajor focus.The mandate of the Military Ombudis to investigate complaints lodgedin writing by SANDF membersregarding conditions of service. Itthus safeguards the rights of allmembers of the SANDF by allowingindividuals to raise their concernswhen they have been treatedimproperly or unfairly.During the official opening ceremonythe Deputy Minister of Defenceand Military Veterans, Mr ThabangMakwetla, said that the MilitaryOmbud was established as a soldier’sappeal office to deal with internalmilitary grievance managementprocesses. He added that it wastherefore an essential ingredient inthe pursuit of a systematic approachto a democratic rights-based militaryculture. Mr Makwetla said: “I wishto emphasise that it is a carefullyconsidered extension of a wellestablishedconventional frontier ofa military culture in a democracy,consistent with contemporary demandsfor due process.”He added that the Office of the MilitaryOmbud was meant to be a neutral andobjective sounding board, mediator,investigator and reporter. It would alsoensure good record-keeping, providenatural justice and decision-making in atimely manner and monitor adherence todemocratic civil-military relations.Mr Makwetla said: “The patrioticinclination to heed the call to participatein the defence of one’s country - to defendour democratic values - is a courageousact. It is therefore our moral obligationLEFT: The DeputyMinister of Defenceand Military Veterans,Mr Thabang Makwetla,addresses the guestsduring the officialopening of the MilitaryOmbud’s Office.LEFT: The MilitaryOmbud, Lt Gen (Ret)Temba Matanzima,expressing gratitude forthe commitment of theDepartment of Defenceand Military Veterans inassisting in establishingthe Military Ombud’sOffice.as a nation to treat withdignity all those citizenswho give their lives to thelofty cause of defending ourdemocracy.”In conclusion, Mr Makwetlasaid that the Office of the MilitaryOmbud would complement, ratherthan compete with existing internalredress procedures in the SANDF. Hesaid: “Through this office our soldiersare guaranteed humane treatmentand the quality of life which all ourcitizens deserve as an inalienableright bequeathed to them by ourconstitution.”Lt Gen (Ret) Matanzima said that hisoffice served as a force multiplier forthe SANDF and was not a threat to it,serving instead as an example of goodgovernance and accountability. Heacknowledged the work done by the16 • J U N E 2 0 1 3
eventsS A S O L D I E RRIGHT: A tour insidethe offices Fltr: TheSecretary for Defence,Dr Sam Gulube, theChief of the SANDF, GenSolly Shoke, the DeputyMinister of Defenceand Military Veterans,Mr Thabang Makwetla,and the Military Ombud,Lt Gen (Ret) TembaMatanzima.DOD staff to craft the bill andthe energy and perseveranceof the previous Minister ofDefence and Military Veteransto have had it inacted in April2012. He said that the Officeof the Minister had assisted inno small measure to ease itspassage. He added: “I wish tothank my colleagues, the Secretary forDefence and the Chief of the SANDF,and all their subordinate service anddivisional commanders and chiefs fortheir unselfish provision in setting upmy office.”In conclusion, he said that theintake, analysis and investigationsenvironment received a total of 308cases which have been registered andassessed. He said: “A total of 92 fileshave been finalised. The majority ofcases received relate to allowances,salaries and service benefits, 98 tobe exact, of which 69 dealt withpromotions and 68 with termination ofservice.”ABOVE: The Service Chiefsand senior SANDF Officerscame to witness a task wellaccomplished.ABOVE: Esteemed dignitaries came to grace the occasion.The history of the military ombud inSouth Africa goes back almost 15 yearsto the 1998 Defence Review whichconceptualised a military ombud,but the concept was not taken anyfurther until 2005 when the PortfolioCommittee on Defence revived it. Thisled to the Military Ombud Bill whichwas signed into law by President JacobZuma in May 2011.J U N E 2 0 1 3 • 17
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June 2013 - Department of Defence

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