A Durban-based organisation that conducts structured community clean-ups using trained volunteers expressed disappointment following a viral video showing a waste worker, unaffiliated with the organisation, disposing of litter into a stormwater drain.

Project CommUNITY, an initiative of weFEEDsa said that supervision was crucial and that managing manual labour in public spaces can be complex, particularly where work is carried out across multiple locations and over extended periods.

The video, which was circulated widely on social media, shows a woman using a rake to move grass and litter into a stormwater drain. The eThekwini Municipality confirmed that, following an internal assessment, the individual captured in the footage is not associated with any volunteer organisation, but is an employee of a contracted waste service provider.

While the individual involved was not a municipal employee, the City stated that it remains accountable for services delivered on its behalf.

The municipality said a meeting was held on January 8, 2026, between senior officials from the Waste Management Directorate and representatives of the contractor to address the incident and agree on corrective actions.

The municipality indicated that concerns were raised regarding waste disposal practices, potential impacts on stormwater infrastructure, environmental considerations, and public perception. A financial penalty was imposed on the contractor.

According to the municipality the contractor:

• has taken disciplinary action against the employee concerned and issued a notice of suspension
• must issue a formal written apology to the municipality
• must take remedial action to address any environmental impact
• must clean the affected stormwater drain

The municipality said it will strengthen oversight measures to prevent similar incidents. Planned steps include further engagement with waste management contractors to reinforce operational, environmental, and safety procedures, issuing formal compliance notices, and enforcing branding requirements on personal protective equipment (PPE).

Logan Reddy, Project Manager for Project CommUNITY, an initiative of weFEEDsa, said that managing manual labour in public spaces can be complex, particularly where work is carried out across multiple locations and over extended periods.

He explained that, based on weFEEDsa’s experience, these challenges are best addressed through clearly defined operational standards, structured training, regular supervision, and established reporting mechanisms. In the absence of such systems, he noted, inconsistencies in work practices can occur.

Separately, and unrelated to the incident, Project CommUNITY recently undertook a clean-up of a stairway between Manton Crescent and Mountbatten Drive in Reservoir Hills as part of its ongoing community-based environmental work.  This is one example of the work being carried out across the eThekwini and Msunduzi Municipalities.

Reddy said the incident underscores the importance of consistent systems, ongoing supervision, and communication in labour-intensive public work programmes, noting that while work processes can be planned in advance, effective implementation relies on continued oversight and engagement.

He added that at weFEEDsa, all participants receive initial training as well as refresher sessions, and that teams working in public areas are overseen by designated team leaders.Teams are monitored by both the Project Manager and the Monitoring and Evaluation team and are identifiable through weFEEDsa-branded high-visibility vests, which help distinguish them from other service providers.

“We also encourage community feedback through established reporting channels, which supports transparency and responsiveness,” Reddy said.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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