The office of the Public Protector or Ombudsman as they are called in various African countries like Kenya and Tanzania, has attracted enormous interest over the year like in South Africa, where the Public Protector has been praised and vilified in equal measure. But what is the difference between and a Public Protector? Ombudsman is an official appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities and big corporations. Ombudsman mediate settlements and the services of ombudsman are free, on the other hand The Public Protector plays the similar role but strictly confined to any matter reported by citizens in group or individuals. The matter can be against the President of the country or civil servant. To help us understand how the Office of the Public Protector or an Ombudsman works, we are joined on the line by:
David Lewis: Executive Director: Corruption Watch:
Lawson Naidoo: Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution:
Professor Shadrack Gutto: Professor and Editor at the Institute for African Renaissance Studies.
