PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The noise frequently emanating from the Piesang Valley Community Hall, especially during public holidays, appears to have fallen on deaf ears at Bitou Municipality.
Nearly a month after complaints were lodged with the municipality about noise and raucousness from this hall during April, concerned neighbours - some living as far away as 1km from the venue - have still received no reply.
A concerned resident, Mike de Klerk, said on Friday 9 May that he had not yet received acknowledgement of his letter sent to the Bitou Municipality customer care section.
In a response received from Bitou communications manager Andile Namntu yesterday, 14 May, he said a definition of "noise that disturbs public order" can be found in clause 10(i)(c)(xvii) of the Municipal Public Amenities By-law, which is accessible on the Bitou municipal website.
"Municipal law enforcement has the authority to act on public disturbances when they are reported," Namntu said.
"This includes giving warnings, issuing fines, or forcing the event to be closed or ended prematurely.
"The Bitou Call Centre Operations runs a 24-hour system and can be accessed via the following numbers: toll-free: 0800 212 797, 044 501 3130 or 044 533 3500.
"Alternatively, the South African Police Services can also be contacted on 10111 in cases of public noise disturbances."
Social function
Driven to distraction by the noise during the period from 12 to 20 April - first from a social function that lasted until 02:00 - residents clocked nine complaints at the Plettenberg Bay Police Station and wrote to the municipality.
SAPS spokesperson Christopher Spies referred the Knysna-Plett Herald to the municipality when asked about the incidents.
Party aftermath
In terms of municipal by-laws, the activities at the hall are controlled, with a policy on the use of alcohol, the permitted noise levels, and cut-off times.
Complaints
The letter from concerned resident Mike de Klerk listed the complaints to the municipality.
These included:
- On 12 April, a Sunday night, the hall was hired out and a major party was held. The same thing happened a few weeks earlier. Not only were the residents faced with extremely loud music, but it continued until 02:00 on Monday 13 April. Nine formal complaints were logged with the South African police, but they were not able to control the situation. The area was strewn with beer bottles and rubble all over the parking area as though people had emptied their bins.
- On 18 April, Good Friday (a religious public holiday), the hall was rented out to a religious group for a service. The service commenced at 15:00 with practice and only ended at 22:30. The speakers were so loud and distorted that the sermon and singing could be heard a kilometre away, forgetting that residents in the area had their own way of celebrating the religious holiday. The noise tends to continue well into the night with the congregation in the parking area.
- On 19 April, the same religious group had rented the hall with the same outcome;
- On 20 April, the same religious group once again rented the hall but this time the event took place from about 09:00 and they only packed up after 15:00.
Management
Said De Klerk: "I have personally spoken with several neighbours who experienced the same level of frustration with regard to this matter.
"We do not have an issue with the hall being rented out, but are concerned about the management thereof.
"Not only does this impact the area from a noise level point of view, but it must be having a negative impact on the values of the properties within the area. Somehow there must be some measures in place to control the volumes.
"Are there not rules and regulations in place for the managing of the community hall that should deter such behaviour?"
Ward 2 Councillor Dave Swart, in whose ward the Piesang Valley community hall is situated, responded to residents saying: "I sent the complaint to the municipal manager (Mbulelo Memani) and the director (Siyasanga Vandala)."
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