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Military Ombud Act, 2012 (Act No. 4 of 2012)

6. Powers and functions of Ombud and Deputy Ombud

 

(1) The Ombud must investigate complaints lodged with the Office in accordance with this section.

 

(2) A complaint must be lodged in writing with the Office in the prescribed manner.

 

(3) On receipt of a complaint the Ombud must register the complaint as may be prescribed.

 

(4) The Ombud must investigate a complaint fairly and expeditiously without fear, favour or prejudice.

 

(5) The Ombud may not investigate a complaint unless the Ombud—
(a) has in writing informed every other interested party to the complaint of the receipt thereof;
(b) is satisfied that all interested parties have been provided with such particulars that will enable the parties to respond to the complaint; and
(c) has afforded all interested parties the opponunity to submit a response to the complaint.

 

(6) For the purpose of subsection (1), the Ombud—
(a) may summon any person to submit an affidavit or affirmed declaration or to appear before him or her to give evidence or produce any document that has a bearing on the matter before him or her;
(b) may resolve any dispute by means of mediation, conciliation or negotiations or in any other expedient manner; and
(c) must promote the observance of the fundamental rights of the members of the Defence Force.

 

(7) After investigating a complaint, the Ombud must—
(a) uphold or dismiss the complaint, or issue an alternative resolution:
(b) recommend an alternative resolution to the Minister; or
(c) refer the complainant to the appropriate public institution for finalisation, if the matter falls outside his or her jurisdiction.

 

(8) If the Ombud upholds the complaint, the Ombud must recommend the appropriate relief for implementation to the Minister.

 

(9) The Ombud must immediately after finalisation of the investigation, and in writing, advise the complainant and any other affected person of the outcome of the investigation.

 

(10) The Ombud must perform any other function allocated to him or her under this Act.

 

(11) The Minister may assign to the Ombud any other additional functions which are not inconsistent with this Act

 

(12) The Deputy Ombud must perfonn any functions assigned to him or her by the Ombud.

 

(13) The Deputy Ombud must perform the functions of the Ombud if the Ombud is for any reason unable to perform his or her functions.