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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Ombudsman Experiment in the Kingdom of Swaziland: A Comment
Author:Ayee, Joseph R.A.
Year:1990
Periodical:African Administrative Studies
Issue:33
Pages:97-108
Language:English
Geographic term:Swaziland - Eswatini
Subjects:ombudsman
Labor and Employment
Politics and Government
Abstract:This article examines the ombudsman experiment in the Kingdom of Swaziland and the factors that led to the abolition and subsequent demise of this 'quasi-judicial' institution. After outlining the historical development of the ombudsman institution and its main features, the author discusses the functions and jurisdictions of Swaziland's ombudsman. The Swazi ombudsman was given the power to investigate any action taken by certain public institutions, agencies and officials in the exercise of their administrative function only. Thus judicial or quasi-judicial acts and the judiciary were excluded from the ombudsman's jurisdiction. Furthermore, the ombudsman's activities were restricted by the proviso that he could not investigate even the administrative acts of the King, the Indlovukari (the Queen Mother), the authorized person acting as such and members of the Liqoqo (the then Supreme Council of State), all members of the executive arm of government. Last, instead of submitting his reports to the legislature, the ombudsman had to submit his reports to the King. Following a note on the organization of the Swazi ombudsman, the performance of this institution is examined. Two factors contributed to its dismal performance: the fact that the ombudsman held two other positions at the same time, and the apathetic reaction of the people to the institution. The above factors largely contributed to the scrapping of the office of the ombudsman in 1987. Bibliogr., note, ref., sum. in Arabic and French.
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