Residents ‘catch’ DSW workers ‘resting on the job’

Durban Solid Waste (DSW) employees have come under fire after they were allegedly caught several times by residents, and in some cases photographed, “relaxing” on the pavements or under trees instead of working.

One of the pictures taken by a Durban resident of DSW workers. The resident claimed that the workers had been taking a break early in the morning.

Published Apr 22, 2022

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DURBAN - DURBAN Solid Waste (DSW) employees have come under fire after they were allegedly caught several times by residents, and in some cases photographed, “relaxing” on the pavements or under trees instead of working.

Durban ratepayers reacted with shock and outrage at the DSW employees’ conduct, saying the workers should shoulder much of the blame for the lack of cleanliness in the city.

Nirven Chetty, a community member, said the DSW staff members were failing in their duties.

“Just this morning (Thursday), I saw three staff members walking past the rubbish with their brooms on their shoulders.”

He said that over the past four weeks he had been trying to get the attention of the DSW management to address dirty streets and workers’ performance.

He said he took pictures of the “relaxing” workers along Percy Osborne Road in Morningside.

An email chain shows that he contacted DSW management as well as the area’s ward councillor, Ernest Smith.

The concerns by residents about the work ethic of some city workers come just days after eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said he was concerned about city employees who did not perform their duties. He told the media recently that the city had thousands of workers, but that this number was not reflected in the service delivery to the community.

He warned that consequences would be dire for such workers.

Kaunda also said workers below senior management level would now be subjected to performance agreements, adding that such systems would be put in place to address levels of absenteeism to ensure employees did not leave work early before their shifts were finished.

Raymond Rampersad, DSW head, said he was aware of the complaints by Chetty but said he still needed to gather more details. He said his staff were also now preoccupied with the clean-up efforts following the rains that devastated many parts of Durban.

In one of the emails, Chetty said: “Mr Rampersad, Durban is in a shocking state, and it is about time that you hold your management team accountable.

“Your ‘workers’ spend more time in the shade than actually doing what they get paid to do. It is an absolute disgrace,” he said.

In another email, he writes: “Glad to see a team of eight DSW members at the corner of Adrain Road/ Percy Osborne Road this morning. Not surprised to see four of them ‘chilling in the shade’ at 8.30am.

“DSW Management Team, ask yourselves if your staff members/supervisors and management deserve a salary? A salary paid by taxpaying citizens.”

Ward councillor Ernest Smith said in a responding email that both these issues undermined the city in the eyes of the public.

“I must agree with Mr Chetty … having the teams sitting does not create a good impression – something which I have previously raised at various levels of management – not only for the ratepayers but tourists, investors, businessmen

and whomever else may look at the area to relocate,” he said.

Rampersad said his office was dealing with the complaints but expressed concerns about accusations that his staff was not performing.

He defended his workers, saying it could be that they were waiting for transport to take them elsewhere and were not lazing under trees. “My staff would not do that,” said Rampersad.