Protector office opens in E Cape

2010-10-01 21:18

East London - A new public protector regional office opened its doors to communities in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on Friday.

This would help to hold organs of state accountable for their services and conduct, said Oupa Segalwe, spokesperson for the public protector's office.

Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela, Deputy Public Protector Mamiki Shai and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Nomaindia Mfeketo, officially opened the office in Fortgale.

It brings the number of public protector offices across the country to 20 and will service communities within the OR Tambo District and neighbouring areas.

"All along, communities in the Eastern Cape have been relying on the provincial office based in Bhisho, and occasional outreach clinics to lodge service delivery and maladministration complaints with the public protector," Segwale said.

Speaking during the event, Madonsela called on communities to make full use of the office, adding that this would in turn assist her office to ensure good governance in all state affairs.

She said her office had received hundreds of complaints from communities in Mthatha in the previous financial year.

The complaints, which were lodged during outreach clinics, related mainly to social grants, identity documents, government pensions and general service delivery matters at municipal level.

- SAPA