ATT: All News Editors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 17 September 2025

Office of the Military Ombud Conducts Outreach Programme in the Western Cape

As part of its stakeholder engagement efforts, the South African Military Ombud team is currently visiting military bases and engaging members of the public in the Western Cape.

The outreach programme aims to educate stakeholders about the legislation governing the Office and its operations. The Office of the Military Ombud was established in 2012 to address complaints from serving members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) regarding their working conditions, including matters such as unfair dismissal, benefits, promotions, and related concerns.

Part of its mandate is also to investigate complaints from members of the public who feel aggrieved by the conduct of uniformed SANDF members while on duty, including allegations such as the use of excessive force.

The Office is currently visiting all regions of the Western Cape where there is a SANDF presence.

Military Ombud Lt Gen (Retired) Vusumuzi Masondo has consistently emphasised the importance of engaging directly with stakeholders.

“We have a duty to go around and inform the public and serving members about the process of accessing the services of our Office,” said Masondo.

Masondo further stated that all issues received from members of the public and serving members are attended to within the stipulated timeframes prescribed in the Office’s regulatory manual. He emphasised that the Office strictly preserves confidentiality regarding any information obtained from the SANDF and complainants, noting that failure to do so constitutes a punishable offence.

The Military Ombud Act of 2012 empowers the Ombud to summon any person to submit an affidavit or affirmed declaration, to appear before him to give evidence, or to produce any document relevant to a matter under investigation.

The outreach team is visiting the following areas:

• Cape Town

• Goodwood

• Wynberg

• Simon’s Town

• Saldanha Bay

• Langebaan

• Oudtshoorn

Issued by: The Military Ombud Office

Media Enquiries: