Fury over ongoing noise pollution at sports complex
This after an all-night event on Sunday caused residents up to 2km away to lose an entire night’s sleep
VELDENVLEI residents have reached the end of their tether with the ongoing all-night parties and events at the central sports complex.
This after an all-night event on Sunday caused residents up to 2km away to lose an entire night’s sleep. The residents took to the social media page of uMhlathuze Ward 2 Councillor Christo Botha, under whose ward the area falls.
‘If you have a party at your house, and the noise is a bit loud, at 11.30pm you get a visit from SAPS for disturbance,’ said Bev Calitz. ‘We live about 2km from the sports field and never slept a wink.’
‘I have been in this area for 30 years and it was peaceful until a few years back,’ said Anne O’Connor.‘When you do phone the police they just do not answer their phones.
‘Please can the authorities do something about these sports complexes having per-mits that apply for the whole night.’
Ward councillor Botha said the issue has been ongo-ing for some time and on his request, a meeting with the municipal manager and deputy municipal manager of community services was held in October.
‘I suggested the municipality approach the ZCBF with the view of moving most of these events to their grounds,’ said Botha.
‘This would eliminate the problem as residents would not be adversely affected by the noise.
Management agreed to explore the idea.’Six months later and the is-sue has not yet been rectified. The City of uMhlathuze was asked about an update to this meeting and spokesperson Mdu Ncalane said that some events are held at the ZCBF.
‘We are noting the com-plaints,’ he said. ‘The city works with SAPS to ensure the sound level is at an acceptable stage.‘Events are allocated specific times or duration hence some end at 6pm, 8pm, 10pm, midnight and some in the early hours of the morning depending on the approved application.
‘Complainants can contact SAPS for further complaints or assessments on each and every event.’
Botha said it is especially those events that go on beyond 10pm that should be held at the ZCBF grounds.
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