Nkosinathi Nkabinde
The Office of the Ombudsman in the City of Johannesburg officially launched citywide Citizens Information Clinics on Thursday, 13 February 2025, at the Eastbank Community Hall in Alexandra, marking the beginning of this vital initiative.
Advocate Sduduzo Gumede, the Johannesburg Ombudsman, addressed residents, emphasising the importance of educating the public about the office’s responsibilities and functions.
“We are here in Alexandra today to inform you about the role of our office. Our mission is to raise awareness about the services we offer. Our trained investigators are available to assess complaints related to service delivery within the City of Johannesburg, including water, electricity, municipal infrastructure maintenance, clinics, and waste management,” said Advocate Gumede.
Residents who are dissatisfied with these services are encouraged to first engage their local councillors and city officials. However, if their complaints remain unresolved, they may escalate their concerns to the Office of the Ombudsman as a last resort.
“Officials employed to provide essential services must fulfil their duties in line with their employment contracts with the City of Johannesburg. Our goal is to identify service delivery challenges and address them because we, too, are part of this community,” he added.
The Ombudsman’s office operates regional offices in all seven regions of the City of Johannesburg, ensuring accessibility for residents seeking to lodge unresolved service delivery complaints. Advocate Gumede also highlighted that not all municipalities in South Africa have an Ombudsman’s Office, making it essential for residents to utilise this resource effectively.
As part of its mandate, the City of Johannesburg Ombudsman’s Office has the authority to visit communities, identify service delivery issues, and initiate investigations where necessary. Representatives from the Office of the Public Protector in Gauteng also attended the community outreach session.
Speaking on behalf of the Public Protector’s Office in Johannesburg, Maureen Mabasa stressed the importance of utilising oversight bodies like the Ombudsman and the Public Protector to expose corruption, bribery, and fraud in government services.
“If you are dissatisfied with how your concerns are being handled, you can lodge complaints with our offices. We will investigate and compel the government to take corrective action,” said Mabasa. She further explained that the Office of the Public Protector deals with complaints related to service delivery failures, maladministration, abuse of power, undue delays, and improper conduct by officials.
City of Johannesburg Region E Director Makgafela Thaba also addressed service delivery challenges in Alexandra, highlighting ongoing issues such as sewage problems, inadequate toilet facilities, and improper waste disposal, which contribute to a rise in rodent infestations. He outlined the city’s strategies to tackle these challenges and improve living conditions in the area.
Ward 105 Councillor, Tefo Raphadu, commended the Ombudsman’s Office for its initiative and urged residents to engage with the office to resolve persistent service delivery issues.
“The Ombudsman is here to ensure that residents are aware of their rights and the resources available to address unresolved issues. I encourage all residents to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about and utilise the Ombudsman’s Office,” said Councillor Raphadu.
Beyond service delivery concerns, Alexandra continues to grapple with illegal construction without city approval, high unemployment rates, crime, and illegal electricity connections. The Citizens Information Clinics aim to empower residents with the necessary knowledge to tackle these challenges effectively.
The Office of the Ombudsman remains committed to fostering transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery across Johannesburg through ongoing community outreach and engagement.
SOURCED FROM THE JOBURG WEBSITE.
