Public complaints target Police, Prisons, Justice

A DECLINE in co-operation from Ministries and institutions in dealing with enquiries from the Office of the Ombudsman are highlighted as a major factor affecting the Office’s ability to resolve some complaints.

In turn, the Office says this situation has affected the public’s trust and confidence in the office. Last week the office released its annual report that analyses the 1 433 complaints it received during 2002 – 86 per cent of which were resolved.As has been the trend since 2000, most complaints received during 2002 were aimed at the country’s justice system.Most complainants took issue with either an alleged abuse of power or the country’s pension payout system.The greatest number of complaints (221) were levelled against the Police, followed by Prisons (200) and Justice (160) departments.These numbers represent a decrease of 35 per cent in complaints against the Ministry of Prisons and a slight decrease in those against the Police.More than 60 complaints each were lodged against the Ministries of Basic Education and Health.Complaints against private institutions are, however, on the increase – up from 135 in 2000 to 167 in 2002.More and more accusations are being lodged against parastatals – up from just more than 20 each during 2000 and 2001, to 70 in 2002.The office said it had been difficult to deal with the vast number of complaints during 2002 because of a shortage of staff in its investigations department and the need to employ new people who still needed to undergo training.A study was also initiated by the office during 2002 to assess the feasibility of establishing regional offices.Most of the complainants are resident in the Khomas Region.In her review of that year, former Ombudswoman Bience Gawanas noted the importance of the office on issues related to governance and the rule of law within the African Union and Nepad.”It is incumbent upon the office as a public institution not only to continue to ensure proper service delivery and quality service, but also to improve itself,” said Gawanas.Gawanas stepped down as Ombudswoman late last year to take up the position of African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs.Judge Simpson Mtambanengwe is currently the acting Ombudsman.Last week the office released its annual report that analyses the 1 433 complaints it received during 2002 – 86 per cent of which were resolved.As has been the trend since 2000, most complaints received during 2002 were aimed at the country’s justice system.Most complainants took issue with either an alleged abuse of power or the country’s pension payout system.The greatest number of complaints (221) were levelled against the Police, followed by Prisons (200) and Justice (160) departments.These numbers represent a decrease of 35 per cent in complaints against the Ministry of Prisons and a slight decrease in those against the Police.More than 60 complaints each were lodged against the Ministries of Basic Education and Health.Complaints against private institutions are, however, on the increase – up from 135 in 2000 to 167 in 2002.More and more accusations are being lodged against parastatals – up from just more than 20 each during 2000 and 2001, to 70 in 2002.The office said it had been difficult to deal with the vast number of complaints during 2002 because of a shortage of staff in its investigations department and the need to employ new people who still needed to undergo training.A study was also initiated by the office during 2002 to assess the feasibility of establishing regional offices.Most of the complainants are resident in the Khomas Region.In her review of that year, former Ombudswoman Bience Gawanas noted the importance of the office on issues related to governance and the rule of law within the African Union and Nepad.”It is incumbent upon the office as a public institution not only to continue to ensure proper service delivery and quality service, but also to improve itself,” said Gawanas.Gawanas stepped down as Ombudswoman late last year to take up the position of African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs.Judge Simpson Mtambanengwe is currently the acting Ombudsman.