The Lekwa Local Municipality (LLM) opened discussions about bylaws regulating streets, public places, and the prevention of noise nuisances in June 2025 during a public meeting at the Standerton Town Hall.

In a brief explanation, Thomas Tshivhandekano of the Parks and Recreation Department explained the basic prohibitions introduced by these bylaws, including relieving oneself or spitting in public, excessive noise pollution, and more.

Thobeka Mtsiselwa highlighted proper waste disposal methods for public areas and businesses. Several attendees at the meeting voiced concerns about how these bylaws would be implemented and how the municipality would monitor noise pollution.

The draft document of these bylaws prohibits undesirable behavior such as threatening individuals in public, using abusive or threatening language, being violent, spitting, urinating, or defecating in public, and committing sexual acts in public.

Other activities that will be banned when these by-laws come into effect include consuming substances such as alcohol or drugs, prostitution, or gambling in public spaces.

These bylaws will also target the homeless in Standerton, prohibiting them from starting fires unless authorised by officials or done in areas where the municipality has designated safe burning zones.

It also prohibits the erection of shelters or sleeping overnight in areas not designated by the municipality. Regarding noise nuisances in Lekwa, the bylaws prohibit anyone from causing a disturbance.

According to the draft document, no person may operate any sound system made to amplify sound, prevent animals from making excessive noise, or discharge any firearm in public spaces without prior written consent of the municipality.

“No person may cause a disturbing noise or allow it to be caused by any person, animal, machine, device, vehicle, recreational vehicle, apparatus, or any combination thereof,” states the draft.

These bylaws also prohibit shouting, singing, or making loud noises in residential areas from Monday to Saturday between 22:00 and 06:00 and on Sunday between 20:00 and 06:00.

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Public events approved by the municipality may not produce excessive noise between 01:00 and 06:00.

This has been a big problem in Lekwa in the past, with events held in the Standerton Riverpark, reportedly being heard in the upper areas of Meyerville and continuing into the morning hours.

In December 2025, the Standerton Advertiser received multiple complaints regarding events in the Standerton Riverpark and on the Standerton Showgrounds.

In one case, a resident could not follow her normal route to work due to vehicles being parked in the street and drunken patrons stumbling in the street. Some individuals were also engaging in sexual activity in the street around 06:00.

Upon visiting the area, we found the street strewn with litter, including broken bottles and empty beer cases along the pavement and in the street.

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Some partygoers were still drinking on the showground premises, and several individuals passed out around the area. This problem directly affects the elderly of the Kosmos Aftreeoord, as they are very close to where people host these parties.

According to Lubabalo Majenge, spokesperson for the LLM, they submitted the draft bylaws to the council and conducted public participation.

“These bylaws will be tabled again to council for final approval, and will take effect on the date of publication in the Provincial Gazette,” explained Majenge.

He stated that these bylaws will be effective for implementation on the date it is published in the Provincial Gazette. However, the municipality’s reply did not state when this process would commence.

It also did not address the concerns raised regarding who will be responsible for implementing and upholding these new bylaws.