MEDIA STATEMENT

ATT: ALL NEWS EDITORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:  14 July 2026

MILITARY OMBUD CLARIFIES ITS STATUTORY MANDATE AND COMPLAINTS PROCESS

The Office of the Military Ombud has received a number of media enquiries regarding Operation Prosper. While the Office does not comment on matters that are not the subject of a formal complaint, we welcome the public interest and take this opportunity to clarify the statutory mandate, jurisdiction and complaints process of the Office of the Military Ombud.

The Office of the Military Ombud is an independent institution established in terms of the Military Ombud Act, 2012 (Act No. 4 of 2012). The Office promotes fairness, accountability and good governance within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) by investigating complaints independently, impartially and in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

In terms of section 4 of the Military Ombud Act, the Military Ombud is empowered to investigate written complaints lodged by a serving member of the SANDF regarding his or her conditions of service, a former member regarding his or her conditions of service, a member of the public regarding the official conduct of a member of the SANDF, or a person acting on behalf of a member.

The Office is open to assist any member of the public who believes they have been adversely affected by the official conduct of a SANDF member while acting in an official capacity. Similarly, serving and former SANDF members may also lodge complaints relating to their conditions of service.

The Office has, since April 2026, received three complaints from members of the public relating to Operation Prosper. These matters are currently receiving attention through the prescribed complaints process. In keeping with the Military Ombud Act, the Office is required to preserve the confidentiality of information obtained during investigations and is therefore unable to comment on the details or status of individual cases.

The Military Ombud is a complaint-driven institution and cannot initiate investigations solely on the basis of media reports, public commentary or social media discussions. Every complaint must first be submitted in writing and assessed to determine whether it falls within the jurisdiction of the Office.

Military Ombud, Lieutenant General (Retired) Vusumuzi Masondo, said the Office remains committed to investigating every complaint fairly, independently and without prejudice.

“Our investigations are administrative in nature and are intended to establish the facts, determine whether due process was followed and, where appropriate, facilitate the resolution of complaints. They are not criminal investigations, which remain the responsibility of the South African Police Services and other competent law enforcement agencies,” further reiterated General Masondo.

Members of the public wishing to lodge a complaint regarding the official conduct of a SANDF member should generally do so within 90 days from becoming aware of the incident. Complaints must be submitted in writing on the prescribed complaint form available from the Office. Complainants are encouraged to provide a detailed description of the incident, relevant dates and locations, the identity of the SANDF member where known, witness details, supporting evidence and the outcome sought.

Members of the public and the SANDF may contact the Office on 012 676 3800 or the toll-free number 080 726 6283, email intake@milombud.org, or fax 086 523 2296. Complaint forms and further information are available at www.milombud.org. The Office also communicates through its official social media platforms: Facebook – South African Military Ombud; X – @Mil_OmbudSA; and Instagram – South African Military Ombud.

Issued by the Office of the Military Ombud. For more information contact: Ms Teresa Magidela, Acting Head of Communications on 012 676 3811/060 601 7724/Email: MagidelaT@milombud.org