Prosecutor Mervyn Menigo appointed Western Cape police ombudsman

A senior prosecutor with more than 27 years’ experience in the criminal justice system has been appointed to head South Africa’s only provincial police ombudsman, an office tasked with investigating complaints of police inefficiency and strengthening accountability in the Western Cape.

Advocate Mervyn Menigo, deputy director of public prosecutions (organised crime) in the Western Cape, will take over as provincial police ombudsman on December 1.

Western Cape police oversight and community safety minister Anroux Marais announced his appointment, saying Menigo’s extensive experience in the criminal justice system would strengthen efforts to hold police accountable.

Menigo has spent more than a decade specialising in organised crime prosecutions. He also brings experience in public sector governance, strategic management and commercial mediation.

He succeeds Maj-Gen (retired) Oswald Reddy, whose five-year tenure began in October 2021.

The Western Cape police ombudsman, established by the provincial government and operational since 2015, provides residents with an independent mechanism to lodge complaints about police inefficiency and seek intervention where relations between communities and law enforcement have broken down.

Ultimately residents must have confidence that when they raise concerns about police inefficiency or misconduct, those concerns will be independently and fairly investigated, and accountability will follow where it is warranted

—  Anroux Marais, police oversight and community safety MEC

By March 31 the office had received 5,475 complaints since its establishment and finalised 5,421, representing a 99% finalisation rate.

During the 2025/26 financial year, it received 353 complaints and finalised 299. Of these, 111 resulted in findings against police.

A total of 59 complaints were substantiated and resolved during the investigation process, while a further 52 were substantiated, with recommendations for corrective action or broader systemic improvements.

The office has also sought to improve access to its services, particularly in rural and underserved communities, through its participation in the provincial Thusong centre outreach programme. The initiative has taken its services to communities across the West Coast, Garden Route, Cape Winelands and Central Karoo.

Marais said she is confident Menigo would build on the foundations established by his predecessor and strengthen the office’s ability to independently investigate complaints.

“Ultimately residents must have confidence that when they raise concerns about police inefficiency or misconduct, those concerns will be independently and fairly investigated, and accountability will follow where it is warranted,” she said.

Marais thanked Reddy for his contribution, saying his leadership had helped strengthen the institution’s governance, internal policies, operational processes and performance management. Under Reddy’s leadership, the office also focused on improving the quality and consistency of investigations, staff development and knowledge sharing.

Western Cape premier Alan Winde said the ombudsman’s office had become an important part of the province’s safety strategy by providing an additional layer of oversight and helping build stronger relationships between communities and law enforcement.

“Reddy’s service to the office and our province has been invaluable, and we thank him for his dedication,” he said. “I welcome the appointment of Menigo and urge him to build on the important work of the office.”

TimesLIVE