16 Mar 2026

Members of Parliament have reached a rare across-the-aisle consensus on the need to overhaul the Ombudsman Act and for the office to be granted necessary powers and full independence from the executive to effectively tackle rampant maladministration. 

Contributing to the debate on the proposed 2026/27 budget for the Office of the Ombudsman recently, Nkange MP, Mr Motlhaleemang Moalosi said he would present a Private Member’s Bill to amend the Ombudsman Act as its recommendations were not compulsory. 

Mr Moalosi said the Ombudsman must also be appointed by a committee of Parliament following extensive recruitment process which would be done in a transparent manner. He further said government’s decision to centralise Government Purchase Orders (GPO) had denied people’s services as the organisation only spent 18 per cent of its development budget. 

MP for Ghanzi, Mr Noah Salakae said in line with his party’s manifesto, Parliament would have the powers to elect the Ombudsman. He said all the laws would be reviewed along with the Constitutional Review process.

 For his part, Mr Omphemetse Kwapa of Jwaneng/Mabutsane constituency said the 38 investigators employed by the Ombudsman were insufficient, adding the organisation had to spread its wings to the rural communities where it remained unknown. 

MP Tshenolo Bogatsu of Lentsweletau/Lephephe said the public service was full of cases of maladministration, adding he wondered how people were required to report cases while they had been forced to sign non-disclosure forms. 

Kgalagadi North MP, Mr Reason Lekutlane said public officers in the low ranks were abused by their supervisors but despite the investigations and recommendations from the Ombudsman, nothing further could be done. He said the Ombudsman was their first and only choice since they did not have funds to engage lawyers. 

Selebi Phikwe East MP,Mr Kgoberego Nkawana,  said the proposed over P67 million to be allocated to the organisation was insufficient for it to effectively carry out its mandate. He said the situation had been exacerbated by its additional roles which included human rights.

 Mahalapye West legislator, Mr  David Tshere  said the Ombudsman should have more powers and vowed he would support a Bill by MP Moalosi.  Mr Onnetse Ramogapi, Palapye MP, commended the Ombudsman for the work they had done despite the limited resources. Previously, he said only law graduates carried investigations but that should be open to everyone to enable them to also progress. 

MP for Letlhakeng, Brigadier Domcaza Mokgwathi called on the organisation to be pro-active and be able to anticipate and mitigate the challenges, leverage on technology, increase transparent and publish more reports to keep the nation abreast about their operations. He further called for the capacitation of investigators.

Mr Mpho Morolong, MP for Kgatleng Central said the country needed a health Ombudsman, arguing that if the country had such an organisation, challenges currently experienced in the sector could have been dealt with years ago.  MP Caterpillar Hikuama of Maun West also said the Ombudsman should have more powers and be fully independent, adding the person holding the office should also be protected.

Responding to the comments, Assistant Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Augustine Nyatanga said the Ombudsman was not solely appointed by the President, but was done with consultations with the Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker of the National Assembly. 

Mr Nyatanga said it was high time accounting officers were taken to task for failing to implement the recommendations from the Office of the Ombudsman, adding the Ombudsman had the powers to subpoena anyone. He said like MPs, they also agreed that the organisation should be fully independent with its own funding. Meanwhile, Parliament approved over P67 million as budget for the Ombudsman for the 2026/27 financial year. BOPA