04 Jul 2023

The Office of the Ombudsman is undergoing a restructuring process to include a new mandate; investigation of human rights abusers.

Addressing Francistown councillors recently, Ombudsman, Advocate Stephen Tiroyakgosi said as such this month, the organisation would be conferred with the mandate to investigate cases of human rights abuses, which were still under the Administration of Justice.

Commenting, nominated councillor, Mr Mairos Mozawazi wanted to know if the Ombudsman had the power to investigate cases on religious beliefs and gay rights.

Councillor Mozawazi said in the past, members of the Bazezuru community had refused to present their children for polio immunization, maintaining that it was against their religion, thereby defying the government’s directive that compelled citizens to immunize their children.

He also wanted to know if the Office of Ombudsman handled land issues, particularly delays in allocation of residential plots, which was in conflict with the rights to the basic need of shelter.

Councillor for Phillip Matante East, Mr Uyapo Nyeku complained that there was too much political interference from the political leadership as to who should be investigated and who should not.

Some councillors also appealed to the Ombudsman to spread his wings to most parts of the country as it was expensive to travel long distances to access the office in town. 

In response, Advocate Tiroyakgosi said, “We are not subjected to the direction of any authority or any powers that be to investigate or not to investigate any person.”

He also refuted allegations that the organisation was a toothless dog, adding that the office had made successful breakthroughs in many cases reported by civil servants.

The Ombudsman said the cases included complaints regarding non-adherence to appropriate laws, non-compliance with court orders, failure to interprete government directives, among others.

However, Adv. Tiroyakgosi was worried that the general public or the middle man was not utilising his office. 

He further informed councillors that the organisation had four offices in Gaborone, Francistown, Maun and Tsabong, adding that lack of finance hindered the organisation to spread its wings to cover most parts of the country.

Adv. Tiroyakgosi said in order to address the challenges, the organisation had administered a computerised management system whereby complainants could be sent through email and SMS, among others. 

He stated that the institution was currently conducting clinics across the country to market services while at the same time receiving complaints from the public. ends