Water and sanitation teams took water samples in the Msunduzi (Duzi) River on Friday, after the Litterboom Project reported an oil spill and called for help via social media.
Oil was spotted below the top weir of the Duzi River.
As a result, fish and birds carcasses were bobbing in the oil mix.
The Litterboom Project said “on Monday, our team discovered a devastating oil spill in the Msunduzi River near Campsdrift in Pietermaritzburg. The spill, about 60cm deep, is filled with plastics, and tragically, it has already caused the deaths of fish and birds which the teams have seen floating amongst the plastic.
Although we’ve notified authorities and are working tirelessly, we urgently need your help.
The Project called for help from the community and neighbouring businesses to transport the contaminated material to a hazardous waste disposal facility.