Public Protector Conducts Education and Awareness Outreach in WLSM

Story: Sinazo Bonongo | Photo:  Sinazo Bonongo

The Office of the Public Protector in the Eastern Cape recently conducted an education and awareness engagement within the Walter Sisulu Local Municipality (WLSM), targeting the communities of Venterstad, Steynsburg, and Burgersdorp. The engagement aimed to educate residents about the role and services rendered by the Office of the Public Protector, with a strong focus on how members of the public can lodge complaints, the processes followed during investigations, and the type of feedback complainants can expect. This initiative forms part of the Office’s ongoing commitment to promoting good governance, accountability, and access to justice for all citizens.

During the session, the Speaker of Council Cllr Nalisile Mathetha commended the Office of the Public Protector for its continued efforts in reaching out to communities and ensuring that residents are informed of their rights and the avenues available to them. The Speaker further requested that future outreach programmes also include the communities of Maletswai and James Calata to ensure broader impact and inclusivity.

At the conclusion of the engagement, community members were afforded an opportunity to formally submit their complaints to the Office using the prescribed forms, as verbal complaints were not accepted. This ensured that all submissions met the required procedural standards for assessment and investigation.The Office of the Public Protector was represented by Mr Monde Ciko, who led the engagement and provided detailed guidance to attendees.