Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø has appointed its alumnus and retired advocate, Torquil John Macleod Paterson SC, as the Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø¡¯s new Ombud. He takes over from Advocate Les Roberts.
Advocate Paterson SC holds a BSc (Physics and Applied Mathematics), Bachelor of Divinity in New Testament Studies (with distinction), Master of Arts in Patristic Studies (with distinction), LLB (with distinction) and PhD from Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø.
In his professional life, Advocate Paterson lectured New Testament Studies at Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø, lectured at St Paul¡¯s Theological College, worked as an Anglican Chaplain at Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø and as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, at the Grahamstown Bar. He became a Senior Counsel in 2017 and retired in 2022.
The Ombud¡¯s office provides an appropriate channel for the final resolution of complaints involving stakeholders where the existing Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø structures and processes are deemed by complainants to be inadequate.
The Ombud¡¯s Office is independent of the Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø¡¯s structures and is not an agent for the Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø or any of its structures.
¡°The Ombud¡¯s Office does not aim to replace any of the Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø¡¯s existing structures and processes. It seeks to complement and supplement these structures in the interest of administrative justice,¡± Registrar, Professor Ad¨¦le Moodly said.
"Complainants must exhaust the normal Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø procedures before involving the Ombud. If concerns remain unresolved, they may be referred to the Ombud. Should it be established that the available Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø channels have not been thoroughly explored, the Ombud will refer complainants back to the Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø,¡± said Prof Moodly.
Commenting about his appointment, Advocate Paterson said: ¡°I am very pleased to be able to give back to an institution that has been very kind to me over many years. My family is very deeply connected to Rhodes Å·ÖÞ±×ãÇòÍø_ÍâΧÂòÇòappÍÆ¼ö-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø, and it feels good to be able to continue that association."
Advocate Paterson¡¯s term starts on 01 May 2023 to 30 April 2024.
The office of the Ombud can be reached via email: ombud@ru.ac.za