What you need to know about noise complaints
Residents are advised to report complaints as and when they occur.
The City of Ekurhuleni has outlined noise control by-laws and regulations in response to a letter published in last week’s edition of the Brakpan Herald, ‘Noise disturbs residents’.
Resident Nondumiso Khwane complained that residents living in the vicinity of Jan Smuts Park don’t get any peace over the weekends as people who visit the park/dam play loud music from their vehicles.
“It’s like a concert on most weekends. When I bought the place, I thought I will find peace but that hasn’t been a reality, and when we call the EMPD they never assist us,” Khwane wrote.
“We are starting to feel like the dam was better off closed then what we are experiencing now.
“We have tried to contact the CoE numerous times regarding the matter but they have not done anything about it.
“It is unfair for us residents to have to endure the noise and to not get any peace over the weekends.”
According to the CoE, noise-related complaints are addressed in terms of:
1) Gauteng Noise Control Regulations 5479 of August 20, 1999.
2) EMPD By-Laws. Council Resolution dated June 25, 2002, amended March 30, 2017, Disturbance of Peace, Section 42 (4, 5 and 6).
Residents are advised to report complaints to the EMPD as and when they occur.
The municipality also provided the definition of noise nuisance, which is any sound which disturbs or impairs or may disturb or impair the convenience or peace of any person.
Other examples of noise nuisances, that can be measured may be:
• noise emanating from industrial activities
• noise from compressors
• noise from ventilation/extraction systems.
Regarding penalties, in terms of the Gauteng Noise Control Regulations Section 18, a person found guilty of an offence is liable on conviction to a fine of R20 000 or two years imprisonment.
The municipality added that this is the second complaint about noise at Jan Smuts Park this year.
The CoE added that noise complaints can also be reported via the call centre on 086 054 3000.
ALSO CHECK: Ma van vermoorde vrou praat oor haar ‘engelkind’
ALSO CHECK: Letter: Living near Jan Smuts Park is a curse
