Noisy neighbours? Here’s the law regarding excessive noise
Under the bylaws of the municipality, no person may disturb the public peace either in public or on private property,
Loud music often plagues quiet Edenvale suburbs over weekends.
Parties start in the late afternoon and continue well into the early hours of the following morning.
The NEWS constantly receives complaints from residents regarding excessive noise in suburban Edenvale.
One such resident is Ms Lydia Borella, who lives in the Avenues.
“We have a terrible time on Saturday nights. Sometimes the noise is so loud it penetrates the windows,” she said.
Ms Borella added that even though her television set is on loud, sometimes the music played still penetrates the house.
On November 1, the music in the Avenues started at around 3pm.
“It went on and on, right into the evening and finally stopped at 1.40am the next morning,” said Ms Borella.
“Some people just have no regard or respect for their neighbours and fellow citizens,” she said.
The spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, said disturbance of peace or excessive noise pollution can be tackled using EMPD bylaws or Gauteng Noise Control Regulations in terms of Environmental Health.
“Under the bylaws of the municipality, no person may disturb the public peace either in public or on private property,” he said.
Disturbance of the peace includes shouting, quarrelling, fighting, singing or playing any type of musical instrument.
“Radios, loud speakers or similar devices can also disturb the peace. Riotous, violent or immoral behaviour are also classified as disturbing the peace,” said Chief Supt Kgasago.
According to the bylaws, offenders are liable to a fine, not exceeding R2 000, on conviction.
“Should the offender default on payment, they could face imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months,” he said.
The Gauteng Noise Control Regulations state that no one is allowed to play a radio, television, drum set, musical instrument, sound amplifier, loudspeaker system or similar device producing, reproducing or amplifying sound so as to cause a noise nuisance.
“Under the Gauteng regulations, the offender is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding R20 000,” said Chief Supt Kgasago.
“The time the unacceptable noise is made is immaterial,” he added.
