ATT: ALL NEWS EDITORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:  02 December 2025

Military Ombud takes educational programme to Eastern Cape

The South African Military Ombud is taking its educational programme regarding the Office mandate to the current serving members of SANDF and members of the public in the Eastern Cape.

This is aimed at educating the stakeholders about the legislations and the operations of the Military Ombud Office which was incepted in 2012. The Office was created through an Act of Parliament to deal with complaints from the current serving members of the SANDF and former members regarding their working conditions like job classification, courses, and promotions as prescribed in the Defence Act.

Their mandate also extends to the members of the public who feel aggrieved by the conduct of soldiers whilst they are on duty like the use of excessive force.

Soldiers can use the services of the Office, when they have complaints that went through the internal commands and they are not satisfied with the outcome.

Military Ombud Lt Gen (Retired) Vusumuzi Masondo said they have so far visited three provinces in the current financial year to educate its stakeholders about the processes they need to follow when lodging a complaint with his Office.

“We have through our engagements realised that there are those who don’t know about the existence of the Office and procedures. It is for this reason that every quarter we visit a province as part of our Outreach Programme,” said Masondo.

The Military Ombud is empowered by the Act to open a case with any person who hinders or obstructs a member of his Office in the performance of their functions, commits an offence and the Offender is liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months or both a fine and imprisonment.

The team is visiting Military Bases and public areas like, Mthatha, East London, Makhanda and Gqeberha.

Issued by the Military Ombud Office.

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