ERMELO – Weekend after weekend, residents express their frustration with the disregard of law and order in Ermelo, more so at the Pet Dam.

The aftermath of revellers’ get-together at the dam is empty glass bottles and other waste left behind.

A resident who lives near the dam told Highvelder they feel the illegal activities there are completely disregarded by both law enforcement and the Msukaligwa Local Municipality.

Apart from the use of alcohol in public, the residents complained about the continuous littering, public defecation and urination in the dam and on the premises, and loud music keeping them from having any sleep.

Another local raised concerns about the motorists using alcohol at the dam and driving under the influence.

Despite numerous complaints, the parties continue unabated every weekend, with clearly no consequences to those in the wrong.

Mandla Zwane, the spokesperson for the Msukaligwa Local Municipality, previously stated that there are municipal by-laws relating to nuisances: “No person shall disturb the public peace in any public place by making unseemly noises.”

The by-law further stipulates that subject to obtaining prior written approval of the council, no person, being in or on any private premises, shall disrupt the public peace in the neighbourhood of such premises by making therein or thereon any unseemly noise, shouting, quarrelling, wrangling, singing or the continuous playing of musical instruments, radios or the like, or over-loud use of loudspeakers or the like.

The question remains, why is a blind eye being turned on those who are clearly overstepping these laws, and why are the by-laws not enforced if they are in place?

Highvelder sent media enquiries to Zwane, and awaits his response.