Klopperpark residents concerned about public disturbance
“People are drinking and having what seems to be a party in public daily, and on weekends, it gets worse."
Residents of Klopperpark raised their concerns regarding noise and drinking in public in the area.
They attributed these concerns to a shopping complex with a liquor shop and a carwash on Kruin Street.
One resident said for years, they have been contacting the owner of the building, with no help at all.
“People are drinking and having what seems to be a party in public daily, and on weekends, it gets worse.
The music is loud and you cannot even walk from my complex, Ponta do Sol, to the shop because of the amount of people there drinking,” said resident Natasia Roos.
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“We had a couple of people harassed or mugged. The litter, especially on weekends, is bad and has a bad odour all over. This is a health concern,” said Roos.
According to Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro, his office has received reports regarding noise and drinking in public.
He said finding a suitable solution for both the businesses and the community is ongoing.
“Last year, we did a petition that had over 400 signatures. Because of that petition, the Klopper Pub closed down and remains closed. The pub was not compliant.
“A liquor store on the same street is registered and licenced, however, we asked the management not to allow people to drink on the premises.
“Their license does not permit them to have people consume alcohol on site. We got hold of the building owner and requested him to put a fence around the complex to manage patrons,” said Guerreiro.
He said though there were positive results from previous actions, numerous by-laws were still contradicted.
“People buy or bring their alcohol to the carwash and drink all day. Behind the complex is a block of flats. They often report noise coming from the Kruin Street property.
“The EMPD often comes to our rescue, but the SAPS needs to intervene more. We are engaging with a few city departments to assist in this case.
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“Because of the ‘parties’, hawkers started to offer food services. They are not permitted to sell there. Close by is the Klopperpark Primary School, and its learners buy from these hawkers. Who checks their products for safety reasons?” said Guerreiro.
Antoine Fick, Klopperpark CPF deputy chairperson said it becomes difficult to disperse the crowd when patrolling at night.
“It’s hard to deal with people who are intoxicated with alcohol and drugs. Drug addicts also mix with the crowd and take their drugs in the open. The waste recyclers leave their trolleys on the road while they buy alcohol in pocket sachets.
“The liquor shop is supposed to close at 20:00 but the woman who runs it sells to people through the small window until late. The party and loud music also continue until late.
“Once the drinking starts, they start to urinate everywhere, which is public indecency,” said Fick.
Fick said the safety of those who drink is a concern.
“After drinking they walk into the road intoxicated, or they drive home under the influence.”
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Colonel Sinoth Ndaba, Bedfordview SAPS acting station commander said they have made arrests and eight more people were arrested last week for drinking in public.
“Crimes like assault have been reported. Since January, we had zero contact crime cases reported in that location. Police are monitoring the area on an ongoing basis,” said Ndaba.
The GCN sent a request for comment to the City of Ekurhuleni on February 15, questioning by-law enforcement.
Comment was requested by February 16 at noon. By the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
