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

She would hold a meeting on Monday to discuss the spill, her spokeswoman Kgalalelo Masibi said in a statement.

The talks would be with the complainants and other interested parties such as the City of Johannesburg, the National Engineering Council, the National Home Builders’ Registration Council, and the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation.  

Madonsela visited the area on March 20 after being invited by local residents through a British Broadcasting Corporation 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.” 

Democratic Alliance Gauteng leader John Moodey commended residents for “standing up for their hard won rights”.

“The residents of Braamfischerville, and in fact all those across our province and country living in similar conditions, deserve better,” he said in a statement.  

“The voices of the residents of Braamfischerville have been heard and the DA commends the Public Protector for her swift response. Public officials who knowingly partake in such practices should be held to account and prevented from further denying basic services to our people.”