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Fanana appointed Ombudsman

by Lesotho Times
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MASERU — ‘Neile Alina ‘Mantoa Fanana, 65, has been appointed Lesotho’s new Ombudsman.

Fanana, who was appointed by His Majesty King Letsie III on October 14, started serving in her new role yesterday.

She becomes the first female Mosotho to hold the position.

Fanana, who is on a four-year term, replaces Sekara Mafisa whose term expired in October.

Mafisa served as the Ombudsman for two four-year terms.

Mafisa caused a storm in political circles when he released a report on the block farming scheme in which he accused some government ministers of looting the agriculture fund.

Cabinet ministers who were fingered in the report did not take kindly to the allegations.

They accused Mafisa of being overzealous and reckless, charges which he dismissed.

“The new Ombudsman started work today (yesterday). She is serving a four-year contract. She met all staff in the office.

“The investigations department briefed her about the urgent cases that they were handling and told her of their challenges.

“Her first day at work was pretty much busy,” Lemohang Lekhoba-Phitšane, the chief public relations officer in the Ombudsman’s office said.

The duty of the Ombudsman is to receive and investigate complaints from ordinary people against government agencies and officials.

The Ombudsman also recommends remedial action where he feels ordinary people have been wronged.

The office of the Ombudsman is independent of the government and is not subject to any directions or control from the state.

Fanana holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law from the National University of Lesotho which she obtained in 1980.

She also holds an LLB degree in law as well as an M Phil Degree from Edinburgh University in the United Kingdom.

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