Embattled municipal customers’ prayers have been answered — albeit two years late.
As of 1 July residents will have a municipal ombudsman as a last recourse for their problems and complaints.
Advocate Siduduzo Gumede has been appointed as the neutral facilitator in ‘last resort’ municipal cases. Hailed as the “the conscience of the public” by city spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane, Gumede will finally take office after the by-law was already passed in 2013.
According to Modingoane the by-law ensures the ombudsman’s independance and enables him to oversee all complaints related to acts of maladministration in the City of Joburg – including acts that infringe on the constitutional rights of citizens.
Modingoane told the Record that there are no contact details yet but as of 1 July the office of the ombudsman will have a dedicated website and forms will be available at all regional offices which resident can use to lodge their complaints.
He asked that residents will use the ombudsman only if all other structures have been exhausted.
