The Office of the Ombudsman has released a recent public report concluding that the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Vanuatu violated several laws in the suspension of Ms. Andrina Tari, Manager of Corporate Services. The investigation was initiated in response to allegations of misconduct involving Tari and suspended PSC secretary, Mr. James Melteres.

The report found that the PSC failed to follow proper disciplinary procedures outlined in the Public Service Staff Manual (PSSM) and the PSC Act. This included bypassing established protocols for appointing an investigation panel and failing to make a decision within the required timeframe. The report also found that the PSC’s actions were an abuse of authority and that several officers had conflicts of interest in handling the case.

The Ombudsman has recommended that the PSC immediately reinstate Ms. Tari and terminate the contracts of several officers, including the PSC Chairman Mr. Martin Mahe, for serious misconduct. The Ombudsman has also recommended the PSC to inform them within 30 days on their decisions regarding the officers involved, as well as recommending the decision on the Head of State’s decision on the termination of the PSC chairman.

The Ombudsman’s findings highlight the need for strict adherence to procedural standards within the PSC, as the constitutionally mandated authority to investigate complaints against government officers and leaders under section 5 of the Leadership Code Act and Article 67 of the Constitution ensuring transparency and accountability in Vanuatu’s public service.