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The Military Ombud, Lt General (Ret) T.T. Matanzima signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) on Thursday, 19 July 2018 to cooperatively work together on issues relating to the activities of his Office. The MOU is valid for 3 years from the date of signing and shall be subject to an annual review.

The South African Military Ombud is an independent external mechanism established to deal with grievances of current and former members of the SANDF who are not satisfied with their conditions of service. The Office is also a place for the South African public to lodge complaints about the conduct of SANDF members.  ACCORD is a South Africa based civil society institution working throughout Africa to bring creative African solutions to the challenges posed by conflict on the continent. The institution aims to promote dialogue, collaboration, mediation and research.

“This agreement will enhance the effective coordination and joint collaboration of both parties in areas of events, research, activities, funding proposals including human resources amongst others. In October this year, from 29 to 31, we are hosting the 10th International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for the Armed forces in partnership with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, and ACCORD is a big part of the programme,” said General Matanzima.

The conference is aimed at establishing and sharing best practices as well as lessons-learnt related to the mandate, powers and functioning of these institutions and it will be hosted for the very first time in the African soil.

Issued by the Office of the Military Ombud