ATT: ALL NEWS EDITORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:  20 October 2026

MILITARY OMBUD ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM 2026 TO ADVANCE ACCOUNTABILITY AND STRENGTHEN CONPLAINTS RESOLUTION

PRETORIA – The Office of the South African Military Ombud will host its Annual Military Ombud Symposium on Friday, 30 October 2026, at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria.

The event will bring together senior government representatives, military leadership, ombudsman institutions, academics, and security sector governance experts. Under the theme “Strengthening Trust and Accountability: Enhancing Complaints Resolution Mechanisms within the Civil-Military Relations Framework,” delegates will explore ways to improve complaints resolution, reinforce institutional integrity, and build public confidence.

This year’s symposium holds special significance as it coincides with the conclusion of the seven-year term (2019–2026) of the current Military Ombud, Lieutenant General (Retired) Vusumuzi Masondo. The platform will serve as an opportunity to reflect on the Office’s institutional growth, key achievements, and overall contribution to democratic military oversight during this period.

Reflecting on the milestone, Lt Gen (Ret) Masondo stated:

“The Symposium provides an important platform to reflect on the role of independent military oversight in strengthening accountability and ensuring that complaints are addressed fairly and effectively. As the Office concludes this seven-year term, it is an opportunity to take stock of our progress, recognise the value of collaboration with our stakeholders, and reaffirm our commitment to strengthening trust within the defence environment.”

Daytime Symposium Programme (09:00)

Advocate Dinkie Dube, Deputy Public Protector of South Africa, will serve as the Programme Director, with Lt Gen (Ret) Masondo delivering the welcome and opening address. The keynote address will be delivered by Ms Angie Motshekga, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.

The daytime itinerary features expert presentations and regional perspectives, including:

• Caroline Sekoni (Public Protector of Zambia and Secretary-General of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association – AOMA), delivering the “Voice of the Region” address.
• Mr Velile Jonas (Director: Investigations at the Office of the South African Military Ombud), presenting on institutional performance and emerging trends.

• Dr Hans Born (Research and Training Head at the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance – DCAF, Switzerland), addressing the conceptual foundations of security sector governance and democratic oversight.

A panel discussion titled “From Democratic Accountability to Sustainable Complaints Resolution” will be moderated by Professor Moses Khanyile (Associate Professor, Department of Political Science at UNISA), featuring:

• Major General (Dr) Eric Mnisi (Adjutant General of the SANDF) – Security Sector Governance and Democratic Accountability.

• Professor Andreas (Dries) Velthuizen (Professor Extraordinarius at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, UNISA) – Civil-Military Relations Framework as an Accountability Ecosystem.

• Professor Taole Mokoena (Health Ombud) – Complaints as Intelligence and their diagnostic role in identifying institutional issues.

• Professor Thuli Madonsela (Director of the Centre for Social Justice, Faculty of Law, Stellenbosch University) – Sustainable Complaints Resolution.

The daytime session will conclude with the formal adoption of the 2026 Military Ombud Symposium Statement.

Evening Programme: Seven-Year Review Dinner (18:00)

The evening proceedings will celebrate the conclusion of Lt Gen (Ret) Masondo’s tenure. The programme will highlight the Office’s milestones between 2019 and 2026, and feature the official launch of a commemorative coffee table book titled, “Strengthening Trust and Accountability: A Seven-Year Review (2019–2026)”.

Media Invitation & RSVPs

Members of the media are invited to attend the daytime Symposium, the Seven Year Review Dinner, or both are requested to RSVP by Wednesday, 28 October 2026, indicating which sessions they intend to cover.

Issued by: Office of the Military Ombud

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