Quthing __ The Office of Ombudsman is currently engaged in a three-day complaints’ intake from the Quthing community in District Administrator 's office hall until Friday this week.

In an interview at the same event, Senior Investigation Officer from the Office of Ombudsman, Mrs. Masenate Letsie said the activity carried out as part of  office activities to receive complaints from individuals aggrieved by actions of government agencies, statutory corporations, officials, and employees.

She highlighted that Investigations on the received complaints from some members of the Quthing community will be carried out to recommend appropriate remedial actions when complaints are found to be justified.

Mrs. Letsie said the Office of Ombudsman serves as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, mediating complaints involving mal-administration, corruption, human rights violations, and environmental degradation at no cost.

She appealed to the Quthing community to take advantage of Ombudsman 's office and bring their complaints for mediation since services in which complaints are lodged are normally provided in Maseru.

She further said preparations are on progress to open Ombudsman regional Offices in Mohale’s hoek to meet Basotho from Southern region while those that will meet those in the Northern region will need opened in Butha-Bothe district.

In an interview at the same event, one of the Complainants at the event Mr. Setho Makhetha expressed gratitude for the opportunity granted to the Quthing community to lodge their complaints to be investigated and recommendations be made for justice delivery.

He said some government departments have a habit of poor security delivery to the public and fail to correct their mistakes but keep on dragging time until the complainant loose hope on follow up of their cases.

This is the first activity of this kind to be held in the district.

The office of Ombudsman is entrenched in the Constitution with a broad mandate and is clothed with legal powers under the Ombudsman Act No 9 of 1996.

SOURCE: LESOTHO NEWS AGENCY