Ombudsman geared to end maladministration in Malawi government
The Office of the Ombudsman says it is changing focus of its operations and will now pay much attention on issues of maladministration in public institutions.
Disclosing of the news in Lilongwe during a systematic investigation training workshop, Malawi’s Ombudsman, Martha Chizuma Mwangonde said for the past years, her office solely focused on labour related cases, something she described to be far from the mandate of the institution.
She said time has come for her office to start providing Malawians with unique services particularly by dealing with issues of bad administration in government.
“Gone will be the days when the office of the Ombudsman acted as the industrial relations court for public servants. The ultimate vision for this office from now up to 2021 is to have a Malawi free of maladministration.
“My office will among other things be policing all forms of bad administration in the country, rectifying and remedying of all forms of injustices occasioned to Malawians by various government bodies and set standards for provision of services,” explained Mwangonde.
Mwangonde assured that her office will work tirelessly to achieve and fulfill its mandate as well as its vision.
The Ombudsman then described the training workshop her staff members were undertaking as an important instrument to achieve the quest.
“My office intends to carry out systematic investigations in cases where serious or perpetual acts of maladministration have been reported. But that cannot be effectively and efficiently execute minus the new skill and knowledge.
“The training therefore will help to equip the office with new tools as we embark on our journey to a Malawi free of maladministration,” she explained while calling for government’s support.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Samuel Tembenu commended the office of the Ombudsman for repositioning itself with the aim of exploiting the constitutional mandate by purely focusing on issues of maladministration.
“Let me point out without fear or contradiction that the work of the office of the Ombudsman is to make sure that public service users, rights are promoted and protected regardless of their societal status, tribe, religion and disability.
“It is my hope that this office will speak to the public service reform agenda and at the same time be a mouthpiece for the voiceless and all Malawians who unfortunately are always facing substandard delivery of services when they visit public office but for different reasons do not formally complain about them,” Tembenu explained.
The Office of Ombudsman is an independent institution entrusted with the mandate of ensuring that Malawians get unique services from the public institutions. It investigates and provides remedy to various cases.
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My dear friend Martha. I have known you since childhood days as a person who is right and just. We wore the same maroon uniforms. You worked hard in college and have done so well in the legal fraternity. I am inspired by your zeal for good governance. I would however request you to tread carefully with politicians if your life is to be prolonged. It is true that it is only God Almighty who can spare our lives as David said if it was not for him, his enemies would have eaten him alive. I would request you to… Read more »
The idea sounds good if it is well implemented. It would consequently reduce ineffectiveness and inefficiency of our government that we see everyday. In addition, Madam Ombudswoman Mwangonde, mine is just a concern. Please take it serious. I want to register this concern that the ombudsman should be involved with government in the process of legislating the mining industry in our country if this is in line with the scope of work for your organisation). Previously, we were meant to believe that Malawi do not have mineral resources and were told to concentrate our economy in agriculture. As a result… Read more »
beauty with brains
Very challenging job. God bless you
Kudos Ombudsman…………….!! I hope the maladministration that your office intends to embark on is something to cover failure to take action on unlawful acts and failure to take action on cases such as: (a) the recent revelations about some Zambian businesswoman called Chimuka Moore to the effect that she was allegedly paid billions of Kwacha by the Malawi Defence Forces (MDF) for some dubious supplies (b) non-action by government on the 7 ministers, unreasonable acts such , unfair acts, improper acts, unjust acts, such as rampant stealing in government, discriminatory acts such as nepotism etc If its about the above,… Read more »
Good idea, but it will be snowed under with work, given the poor quality of so many of our services. What will it do about nepotism? And all those who have already committed theft?