The Voice (Francistown)
Zeph Kajevu
29 April 2008
Francistown — The Office of the Ombudsman this week launched a website. The website is easily accessible, simple to use and with comprehensible data and a facility for feedback even for semi-literate users.
Foremost, the website's diverse database empowers Batswana to understand issues constituting maladministration, human rights violations and other woes in the public sector, in a secure environment.
Ombudsman Ofentse Lepodise said the website provided an effective medium to keep government and members of the public informed about the latest developments, news and current trends.
"The website is our attempt to ensure that our varied customers and partners have access to quality information and services as we investigate maladministration and human rights violations in the public sector. It will assist individuals to understand appropriate counteraction, when they feel aggrieved by the decisions of public officials."
Lepodise said the website complemented other public sector traditional modes such as the media, reading materials and kgotla meetings. "To optimize the outcome, the Ombudsman will hold consultative seminars with heads of departments and conduct circuit consultations with satellite offices around the country, NGOs, kgotla sessions. In the process, the Office aims to create partnerships with the print and electronic media, especially television and radio."
The Ombudsman revealed that there was provision in the website for customers to electronically file complaints and comments, adding that "Increased awareness about our functions and roles will hopefully reduce 'toothless bulldog' perceptions on our ineffectiveness and incompetency. The idea is to empower Batswana with knowledge on how to safeguard good governance, democracy, compassion, fairness, botho and transparency."
In his remarks, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Patrick Balopi, said that in this modern world, governments are challenged to provide quality service to citizens through on-line facilities such as website databases.
"The Office of the Ombudsman, established in 1997 after the promulgation of the Botswana's Ombudsman Act of 1995, is to receive and resolve complaints of maladministration, which occurs in the public sector. Given the fact that there are only two offices in Botswana, the website is an endeavour to improve accessibility as a strategic initiative to improve the quality of service that it provides," said Balopi.
Important features of the website will include frequently asked questions on accessing services, how to formerly lodge a complaint, definitions on maladministration and its consequences as well as the history the Ombudsman's Office. http://www.ombudsman.org.bw
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