This Friday, the PS asked the Government about the prohibition that existed regarding the new Ombudsman of Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisbon and whether this affects the suitability, capacity and competence of the new Ombudsman.
In their statement, the PS deputies justify that, given the seriousness of the reported facts regarding the new Ombudsman Paulo Alexandre Sousa, they question the guardianship of the “knowledge of the matter, as well as the compatibility of his profile with the need for “financial trust”, which he mentioned at the hearing in Assembly of the Republic.”
The new supplier of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, Paulo Alexandre Sousa, was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Maria do Rosario Ramalho.
Socialist MPs will remember that “shortly” after the announcement of the new provider, who took over the post of President of the Executive Committee of the Bank of Commerce and Investment (BCI), the media reported that Paulo Alexander Sousa was banned four years ago by the Central Council. Bank of Mozambique will hold social and management positions in credit institutions and financial companies for a period of three years.
The PS Parliamentary Group recalls that the appointment of the new Ombudsman came after the Council of Santa Casa, “still in office, was dissolved with contours yet to be clarified”, and note that at the hearing the Minister introduced the new Ombudsman as “a well-known economist”, with “vast experience” at the international level and in the social sector, with an adequate profile to strengthen the financial authority of the institution.”
In view of all this, PS MPs still want to know whether the person responsible for oversight “can ensure that the process does not compromise the credibility of the institution” and “whether they consider that the person selected has a profile compatible with the “financial trust”” which he mentioned at the hearing.”
However, an official source in the ministry, overseen by Maria do Rosario Ramalho, clarified that Paulo Alexandre de Sousa challenged the ban in court, which “was lifted by a final decision in 2020.”
“This decision by the Mozambican judiciary proves that the new ombudsman has the fitness, ability and competence required to fulfill this position,” the same source said.
Regarding the ban case, the source stated that regarding the ban on the exercise of social positions and management functions in credit institutions and financial companies applied by the Bank of Mozambique, in 2019 Paulo Alexandre de Souza appealed this decision to the Bank of Mozambique. Mozambique, which did not cancel the suspensive effect.
However, as the source indicated, the facility appealed to the court, being acquitted, making a final and non-appealable decision in 2020.