Retired teachers are facing long delays in receiving their pensions and terminal benefits, prompting the Office of the Ombudsman to consider launching an investigation into the matter to determine whether maladministration or other systemic failures are responsible for this.
Ombudsman Advocate Tlotliso Polaki said reports received by her office point to broader shortcomings in the administration and coordination of retirement benefit processes among relevant public institutions.
She warned that the delays have potential to undermine the dignity, welfare and legitimate expectations of retired public servants who dedicated many years of service to the nation.
Advocate Polaki noted the proposed investigation would seek to establish the causes and extent of the delays, assess the adequacy of record-management systems within relevant institutions, and determine whether administrative, procedural or resource-related challenges are contributing to the problem.
The inquiry will also examine the impact of the delays on affected retirees and their families, the effectiveness of coordination among institutions responsible for processing and paying retirement benefits, and whether any acts of maladministration or unreasonable administrative conduct may have occurred.
