Finally ... the answer to Joburg’s prayers

File Photo: Clyde Robinson

File Photo: Clyde Robinson

Published Apr 1, 2015

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Johannesburg - Advocate Siduduzo Gumede is your last resort - and you’ve waited more than two years for him.

On Wednesday morning, the City of Joburg announced that the independent Office of the Ombudsman would open in July, with Gumede as the city’s first ombudsman.

The new office is part of mayor Parks Tau’s drive for transparency, accountability and good governance, City of Joburg spokesman Nthatisi Modingoane said.

The city first announced plans to set up the ombudsman’s office in November 2012. In June 2013, the by-law to set up the office was passed.

“This by-law defines the powers of the ombudsman and helps establish his independence. It enables him to oversee all complaints related to acts of maladministration in the City of Joburg – including acts that infringe on the constitutional rights of citizens,” Modingoane said.

“The city’s ombudsman will be the designated neutral facilitator of ‘the last resort’.”

Modingoane called the new office “the conscience of the public”, and said the position was designed to provide confidential and impartial help in resolving grievances and disputes with the city.

“The city seeks to ensure that customers and citizens feel acknowledged through an approach that puts them first. The Office of the Ombudsman has to hold everyone in the city’s administration accountable,” Tau pointed out.

Residents are urged to still use the established city structures and to exhaust these platforms before taking their concerns to the ombudsman, Modingoane said.

The Star

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