Early morning revving keeps residents up
Residents of Ladanna are frustrated that nothing is done about their complaints that bikers are revving their bike engines in the early hours of the morning

Residents of Ladanna are frustrated that nothing is done about their complaints that bikers are revving their bike engines in the early hours of the morning at a local pub in Pietersburg Street.
One resident, Daan Viljoen says they had enough with the disturbance of peace. “It is unacceptable! We can’t live like this. Loud music and bikers competing whose bikes can rev the loudest, making burn outs in the early hours of the morning four days a week is too much,” says Viljoen.
According to Viljoen, the problem has been going on for more than a year and residents in the neighbourhood have been complaining for the past eight months, but nothing is being done.
“I tried to speak to the owner, but he turned a deaf ear to the complaints. Several times we had to call the Westenburg police to address the noise levels, but as soon as the police are gone, the noise continues. We have reported the matter to the municipality as well, but up to date nothing has been done.”
According to the municipal bylaw on the disturbance of public peace, “No person shall disturb the public peace in a street or public place or on private premises by making noises or causing them to be made by shouting, quarrelling, fighting, singing or playing any type of musical or noise-creating instrument or gramophone or by means of a radio, loudspeaker or similar device or by riotous, violent or immoral behaviour”.
Suzy Chaves, Paris Lagoon Pub and Grill manager confirms they are aware of some residents’ grievances.
“We do care about the community and take their complaints into consideration. That is why we placed notices warning bikers not to rev their bikes. We cannot control people when they are under the influence, but we tell them to stop and take their keys if they are not ready to go home,” says Chaves.
Chaves adds that management is in the process of putting up a sign at the entrance of the premises stating: If you don’t obey rules of premises, you will be removed from the premises.
“The music is not that loud and we even go the extra mile to control the noise by closing the doors of the bar,” says Chaves.
Matshidiso Mothapo, assistant communication manager at the Polokwane Municipality says the premises in question are located in a business zone and also has rights for high density residential settlement.
“It was rezoned from a residential area to a business area in 2008. The application was advertised and there were no objections from neighbours and the general public.” According to Mothapo, the re-zoning allows for restaurants and clubs in the area. “From a town planning perspective, the erf has rights for a business that operates 24 hours as the zoning is not based on time slots,” he says.
He adds that the community can lodge a complaint regarding the noise to the municipality’s occupational health section and also to the police.
Capt Mohlaka Mashiane, Westenburg police spokesperson says music at the pub must only be heard by the people in the pub and nobody else. “The owner must call customers to order because right of admission is reserved.
“If the customers do not want to listen, the owner can exercise this authority. If they refuse to listen, police can be contacted because it will be a case of trespassing,” says Mashiane.