/ 26 March 2012

Madonsela to plumb depths of sewage scandal

Public protector Thuli Madonsela will investigate allegations of maladministration in Braamfischerville, Jo'burg, following a raw sewage spill there.

Public protector Thuli Madonsela will investigate allegations of maladministration by officials in Braamfischerville, Johannesburg, related to a raw sewage spill, her office said on Monday.

She was scheduled to meet with the complainants and interested parties such as the City of Jo’burg, the National Engineering Council, the National Home Builders Registration Council and the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation on Monday morning to discuss the spill, her spokesperson Kgalalelo Masibi said.

Madonsela initially visited the area on March 20 after being invited by local residents through a BBC journalist.

“The public protector would like to demonstrate to South Africans that they do not have to take to the streets in protest and destroy infrastructure to be heard,” Masibi said.

“She wants to recognise the Braamfischerville community in particular for being peaceful in airing their grievances… [and] would like to encourage other communities to use the institution to help them amplify their voice.” — Sapa