Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Dirk Kotze and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mangaung welcomes the announcement of the establishment of the Interim Office of the Mangaung Ombudsman, a long-overdue step towards accountability, fairness, and improved service delivery in the Metro.
This comes seven years after the Mangaung Metropolitan Council first approved the establishment of the Ombudsman’s Office in May 2018, a process that was derailed by ANC factional battles and the inaction of the then City Manager, Adv. Tankiso Mea.
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 due to a lack of political will from Executive Mayor Gregory Nthatisi and continued administrative delays.
Throughout this period, the DA continued to apply pressure through Council questions, motions, and interventions by our representatives in the Free State Provincial Legislature.
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.
However, the DA reminds the City Manager, Mr Sello More, that the Ombudsman’s independence is non-negotiable.
The effectiveness and credibility of the Ombudsman’s Office depend entirely on its freedom from political interference.
The Ombudsman must be able to exercise all duties without fear, favour or prejudice, and report directly to Council through the Speaker or Executive Mayor, as appropriate, and not be controlled or influenced by the City Manager or any political office.
- Be impartial and autonomous, and a member of the International Ombudsman Institute or a related professional body.
- Be staffed by professionals with expertise in the administration of justice, public administration, or law.
- Conduct investigations into poor service delivery, unfair conduct, or maladministration and have the power to demand information, summon officials, and recommend corrective action.
The DA will continue to monitor the Interim Office’s operations and ensure that the process for appointing a permanent Ombudsman is transparent, merit-based, and inclusive of all political parties, as required by Council’s Terms of Reference.
After years of ANC inaction and neglect, this development represents a win for accountability and a victory for the residents of Mangaung. The DA remains committed to building a municipality that works, where officials are held accountable, services are delivered, and residents’ voices are heard.