Parliament amends Ombudsman’s Bill

Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday supported the amendment of the Ombudsman’s Act (Amendment)Bill which seeks to free the Office of the Ombudsman from any form of interference. 

The amendment proposes to clarify the type of organs of government over which the Ombudsman has jurisdiction, and enumerate the nature of inquiries and investigations which the office may undertake in relation to organs of government. It also seeks to clarify the office’s functions and powers.

Reads the Bill in part: “This will be done by aligning the functions and powers of the Ombudsman with the broad jurisdiction and mandate conferred by Section 123 of the Constitution; enhancing the powers and functions of the Ombudsman generally to ensure the effective discharge of its mandate conferred under Section123 of the Constitution.”

The Bill further proposes empowerment of the Ombudsman to conduct inquiries and investigations on his or her own initiative or motion,which are in the public’s interest, clarification of the type of remedies the Ombudsman can recommend against an offending person or body.

The Bill also provides for strengthening of the enforcement mechanism for compliance with the findings and recommendations of the Ombudsman, among others.

In his remarks after the Bill passed, Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo, who tabled the Bill, thanked the MPs for supporting it, saying the ammendment will enhance the functionality of the office.

In an interview yesterday, Ombudsman Grace Malera commended Parliament for amending the Bill, saying it will enhance the rule of law and governance by defining how the office should operate.

“One important aspect is the provision for protection of whistle-blowers which has been a problem for us in the past 25 years, but now the matter has been resolved through amendment,” she said.