Call to curb city stadium noise pollution
Residents living near the uMhlathuze Sports Complex are often kept awake late into the night
THE ongoing issue of noise pollution emanating from the uMhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay again had residents up in arms after a recent party raged on until 6am, leaving them sleepless for an entire night.
uMhlathuze Ward three councillor Ockie Mulder brought this to the attention of the City of uMhlathuze and has asked for the matter to be placed on the agenda of the portfolio committee for discussion and a formal decision, to no avail.
While this issue has been ongoing, most recent communication with the municipality was in August.
‘I received various complaints on 13 August from residents in Wards 3 and 2 about the event held on 12 August, which lasted until about 6am on the morning of the 13th,’ said Mulder.
‘There was excessive noise pollution throughout the night.
‘A similar situation was experienced two weekends prior, and residents are now seriously disturbed by these uncontrolled events authorised by the City of uMhlathuze.’
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Included in his correspondence to municipal officials, Mulder quoted the City of uMhlathuze Nuisance By-laws, which were created in terms of Section 156 of the Constitution, 1996 (Act No 108 of 1996), read in conjunction with Section 11 of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No 32 of 2000), the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No 51 of 1977) and the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No 93 of 1996).
Clause 7(a) states: No person shall cause a noise nuisance, or allow it to be caused, by operating or playing any radio, television set, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier, loudspeaker system or similar device producing, reproducing or amplifying sound.
‘Does the City of uMhlathuze ignore the above Nuisance By-laws, or not subject municipal grounds to the By-laws at all?’
‘Additionally, the Nuisance By-laws are silent about the times such events begin and terminate.’
‘I do believe this needs to be discussed at the appropriate portfolio committee meeting responsible for the Central Sports Complex.’
The ZO attempted to obtain a statement from the City of uMhlathuze but none was forthcoming.
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