Johannesburg – South African fast-food chain Steers is reportedly investigating a viral video showing employees in uniform performing gardening work, which sparked social media backlash over alleged worker exploitation.
In the clip, a passerby questions why the men are doing gardening, to which one responds, “Eish, Kuyitsi Modimo fela” (Only God knows).
How is this acceptable? @SteersSA pic.twitter.com/ihJSxZZJSM
— Papi (@football_papi) January 21, 2026
Social media users condemned the practice.
One user accused Steers of overworking staff, saying, “Stop this nonsense of abusing your staff… If you need your bushes to be trimmed, get a gardener for that.”
Another noted that such exploitation occurs across workplaces in South Africa.
Steers responded, emphasising that staff are valued and not expected to perform tasks outside their roles.
“Our staff members are important to us, and this is not acceptable. We take this matter seriously, and we are investigating this,” Steers said.
Hi Papi, our staff members are important to us and this is not acceptable. We take this matter seriously and we are investigating this.
— Steers® South Africa (@SteersSA) January 21, 2026
“All Steers staff are valued and are never required to do gardening or work outside their roles. We take this seriously and are immediately investigating. This will not be tolerated.
All Steers staff are valued and are never required to do gardening or work outside their roles. We take this seriously and are immediately investigating. This will not be tolerated.
— Steers® South Africa (@SteersSA) January 21, 2026
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
