On Thursday, 25 April 2024, the Ombudsman for the City of Johannesburg, Advocate Siduduzo Gumede, led a civic engagement clinic in Region D (Ward 47), to mark the fifth leg of the “An Engaged Citizenry” series which is currently being rolled out across the seven regions of the city.
This programme underscores the importance of active citizenship and the Office of the Ombudsman seeks to improve governance and help to safeguard the residents’ basic rights to equitable and efficient service delivery by helping to hold the City of Johannesburg accountable to the residents through (1) creating a safe space for residents to raise an issue or concern, (2) conducting free and independent investigations and exploring options to help resolve conflicts through mediations, and (3) bringing systemic concerns to the attention of the City with recommendations on where they can improve.
As Freedom month draws to a close, residents mostly elderly, flocked at the Kopanong Hall in Dobsonville, where the offices of the Public Protector, South African Human Rights Commission and other Ombudsman offices created a platform to foster greater civic participation and address issues affecting the community.
The Office of the Ombudsman are independent and act as the last instance after residents have exhausted all official channels after lodging a particular complaint.
The service is freely available to Johannesburg residents and business, who may have suffered an injustice due to acts of maladministration and human rights violations by the City of Joburg Metropolitan Municipality.
Advocate Gumede encouraged residents to fill free to forward their concerns and further mentioned that the Ombuds Ambassadors will be deployed in civic offices to guide citizens and help those who unable to write and draft their concerns. We usually recruit unemployed youth graduates and matriculants as ambassadors of the Ombudsman Office. He stated.
Gumede reiterated that photographs can be used to report water spillage, sewage running, electrical hazards, etc, to City authorities. Residents complained that government officials only avail themselves during voting season and that their voices are not heard at council offices. Through the Q and A session, many service related complaints were put forward that are similar in many communities, such as unattended faulty street lights, clean water and sewer running on streets, drainage system being old and blockages take time to be attended further damaging house foundations, neglected uncleaned cemeteries where criminals hide, poor communication on tap water closures, irregular billing on municipal service statements, hazardous littering, etc.
On a positive note the panel comprised of Local Office Service Centre helping the needy and pensioners with service rebates, representatives from City Forensic and Investigation services, Legal Aid South Africa, National Consumer Commission and the Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa.
- Call the CoJ Call Centre on 0860 – Joburg (562874) or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre: Once you have lodged your complaint with the City give them a reasonable time to resolve it.
- Lodge your complain with the Office of the Ombudsman through the channels;
– complaints@joburgombudsman.org
– The Office of the Ombudsman Head Office or Regional Office.
– Complaints boxes (CoJ Regional Office) - Sunmit the following documents.
– A fully completed copy of the prescribed complaint form;
– A copy of the complainant’s ID.
– If acting on behalf of another person, then Power of Attorney is required.
– A reference number from the City of Johannesburg.
– Proof of Residence (if available) and
– All prior correspondence i.e., emails. SMS’s etc. that relate to the complaint.
Citizens are encouraged to make use of the free services of the Ombudsman, City of Johanneburg Office, Sappi Building 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein, Tel: 010 288 2800 / 081 365 0225 Email: complaints@joburgombudsman.org.za, www.joburgombudsman.org.za
Jabulani Civic centre 1 Koma Road, Jabulani Soweto 1868
Jerry Sokhupe
Soweto Sunrise News
