Church event angers residents

LOCAL ward councillors have called for an urgent meeting with Metro Police and municipal officials to address the unacceptable noise Berea residents were subjected to recently when a church group held a noisy meeting at the stadium at Curries Fountain on 22 and 23 May.

Hundreds of residents across the Berea and as far as Glenwood were kept awake as the ministry belted out on loudspeakers for all to hear. Metro Police and SAPS failed dismally to enforce bylaws or to persuade the preacher to turn down the volume. The church group refused to lower the volume claiming they had a permit from the municipality to hold the meeting.

One resident said many events have been held at the stadium at Curries Fountain over the years, but this was the worst event held.

“Maniacal preachers screamed at the stadium and entire local neighbourhood all night long, peppered with the various wailing screams of people, or rather, presumably the demons being 'delivered' out of them,” he said.

He said such events should be in an enclosed arena and felt this request was reasonable, although it was being ignored at every level.

“Why do thousands of us have to be woken up repeatedly all night long by this disturbing show? And on the second lovely evening of being unable to hear the TV, and feeling one's sanity being challenged, after a long week at work we residents have a right to our sleep, to spend peaceful evenings in our homes,” he said.

The resident has lived in lower Musgrave for eight years and said several years ago a few residents representing several buildings in the area finally managed to engage the municipality to try set parameters for the use of Curries Fountain by private events, since loud events frequently ran all day and all night too, with sound levels unbelievably higher than they needed to be.

“For a while we were notified, but that was the extent, complaints were ignored, controls have not been put in place. We have tried to engage again without success. I have no problem with the stadium being used for a variety of events in a responsible manner, but this assumes the need to have limits in place that respect the human rights of the neighbourhood and the rights of local ratepayers over visiting events and their attendees. The issue is the municipality not doing its job by acting in the interest of its citizens,” he said.

Resident, Ahmed Khan, who lives in Botanic Gardens Road, said the church had their sound system so loud that his whole flat was vibrating.

“The priest was screaming on the top of his voice. This all started on Thursday at 5pm,” he said.

He said he went to Curries Fountain at 2.30am and was greeted by guards outside the event. He said he tried to speak to them but was ignored.

“I went to Berea Police Station and spoke to them. I was told they had a lot of complaints about the noise and the police had been there and asked them to lower the volume, however they refused as they had permission to use the venue. The police were told they were to leave as they were disturbing their prayers. I agree that the church people have the right to use the premises but they did not consider the disturbance they were causing to the public,” he said.

Another concerned resident said wondered who gave people the permission to hold the event the venue which is surrounded by residential apartments on all sides.

“Is creating disturbing noise not an offence? Why did the authorities not check the opening and closing timings of this event, and who allowed the event organisers to start their loud and howling order of events at 8pm on a weekend and carry it on till late hours of the night? Why did the police or local authorities not keep the extreme noise levels under check?” she asked.

The resident said this was not the first time that an event of this nature has been held at Curries Fountain.

Resident Charlotte Mbali, said: “In this era of electronic amplification, the by-law needs to state that more than 80 decibels for more than two minutes is noise pollution, and Metro Police should be equipped with a measuring gadget, and a sliding scale of fines – the more decibels, and lasting the longer, the heavier the fine. That should catch the boom-boom taxis too. Loud noise harms health. The Constitution lists noise pollution as one of the issues for local or provincial legislation. I encourage residents to ask their councillor to support stronger noise pollution by-laws and enforcement,” she said.

City shows a lack of respect

Ward 31 councillor, Jethro Lefevre, said: “Once again the city is showing its lack of respect for the ratepayers of the Berea by allowing yet another unnecessary event at Curries Fountain which completely flouts the by laws of the city. There is very clear legislation on the definition of a nuisance and noise pollution and these events are contrary in every regard. I cannot believe that Metro Police, who are meant to be the 'keepers of the peace', refused to do anything to assist the public. Their arrogant dismissal of phone calls citing the permission to use the venue is unacceptable to say the least. Metro Police must enforce these bylaws or run the risk of plunging the city into chaos.”

The three wards councillors in the area have requested a meeting with Metro Police and the other departments concerned to address this.

eThekwini Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said the municipality was aware of the incident. “Metro Police officers were dispatched after numerous calls were made by residents who complained of the noise levels coming from Curries Fountain where a church service was taking place. Permission to host the function was granted to the church by the Municipality,” she said.