While its impact on society may not be as life-threatening as crime or negligent hospital services for example, the ever increasing noise nuisance factor visited upon people in the sanctuary of their homes or in public leisure venues – where stressed out people seek calmness and solitude – must not be underestimated.
The problem with noise is that it is more of a subconscious hammering of the senses, but given the proven statistics that stress is one of the biggest killers of our time, the encroachment of constant thump, rattle and roar in our lives are far more damaging than we realise since the irritation creates unhealthy tension.
What raises the stress levels even more is the fact that citizens are generally powerless to anything about it in practical terms.
At least two examples in the City illustrate the point perfectly.
For years now suburban residents in close proximity to the uMhlathuze Sport Complex in Richards Bay and the Imbizo Conference Centre in Empangeni have waged fruitless campaigns to put an end to the all-night music bashes frequently held at these venues.
They have every right to. Every homeowner’s basic expectation is to have the assurance of peace and quiet in his own private space – a place where one can rest at night and over weekends, free from outside disturbance.
Being subjected on a regular basis to a thundering all-night ruckus from boom boxes and loutish revellers is, strictly speaking, a violation of citizens’ right to private tranquility.
Neigbours from hell
This, of course, doesn’t only refer to noise from public amenities, but also inconsiderate rowdy neighbours from hell who are in perpetual party mode.
There are municipal bylaws in place that are supposed to protect residents from the noise menace. Municipal officials will routinely make pacifying noises with the undertaking to ‘look into the matter’, but nothing ever comes of it and the bylaws are, for all practical purposes, totally ineffectual.
After-hours municipal help desks, where one reports such violations, will always be met with inaction – ask those who have tried.
The police may take the trouble to request your neighbour to tone things down – with little effect of course – since they know they won’t really be arrested or fined.
But the cops will certainly not move in to break up a public bash where hundreds of super-charged intoxicated partygoers are most likely to turn riotous.
What local authorities could do in future is to take noise pollution seriously by planning to place public facilities, where music concerts and other noisy events are held well, clear of residential areas.
The sad reality, however, is that as a victim of noise pollution, you are currently on your own, destined to lie powerless in your bed seething with murderous rage and much closer to your heart attack.
The best we can hope for is that society at large will see a change where selfish interests make way for sensible consideration.
The Noise Control Regulations, the terms of the new KZN Liquor Act, the Criminal Procedure Act and the Protection from Harassment Act all provide remedies for this problem. However, SAPS are either ignorant of this or unwilling to apply the law. A magistrate that has a family member who is involved with one of the clubs that breaks these laws on a regular basis has taken to rolling obstacles in the way of those seeking relief from the courts. Go and see the facebook page Noise Control SA for specific details of the laws and what can be done about it. For now there is some very serious litigation, both civil and criminal being drafted that will hopefully see some officials severely disciplined. This issue is going to end up costing the municipality and the Ministry of justice millions as the effects of sleep deprivation (which amounts to acute physical injury and trauma) are very serious indeed. The impact of unpoliced nuisance and disturbing noise as well as infrasound infringements on local businesses and property owners amounts to massive sums in damages, consequential losses relocation costs, medical costs, rehabilitation costs etc. SAPS and the municipality better catch a quick wake up here or they will pay dearly. They have in fact left it a bit too long already and will now need to start making offers of settlement or face some massive claims for compensations etc.