Madam Deputy Speaker, in a further effort to improve the conditions of service of our military personnel, the ANC-led government has officially launched the Office of the Military Ombudsman in Thaba Tshwane.
In March this year, Parliament passed the Military Ombudsman Bill, which makes provision for the establishment of an independent office and the appointment of a Military Ombudsman.
The objective for the establishment of this office is to investigate and ensure that complaints about SA National Defence Force members of all arms of service and those working at the SANDF headquarters are resolved in a fair, economical and expeditious manner.
The Office of the Military Ombudsman is also mandated to ensure observance and promotion of fundamental rights of military personnel and oversight of procedures followed by the military courts and prisons, especially with regard to the detention and dismissal of uniformed members. This is a positive development which prioritises the overall welfare of SANDF members. The ANC-led government cares. Thank you.