Noisy neighbours cause consternation

LEPHALALE - Residents are furious about the noise levels caused by guest houses and a local church in a previously quiet part of town.
“I am fed up with the municipality and the police,” one resident said, “I can’t have a normal conversation in my house because of the ruckus.”
According to this resident, who lives near the By Fire by Force church in Nelson Mandela drive, she has complained to the municipality, the local police and the church but still the noise continues. “I can understand that people are worshipping but they should respect other people living in the area.”
Another resident had the same complaint but in her case it is about a guest house right next door to her. “Since the strike started things have been getting out of hand,” she said, “and contacting the owners of the guesthouse doesn't help as they are making money from these people.”
According to the Environment Conservation Act 73 of 1989 no person is allowed to make, produce or cause a disturbing noise to be made, or allow it to be made by any person, animal, machine, device or apparatus or any combination thereof. Section 18 of the Act state that anybody in contravention of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding R20 000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or to both. Section 20 clearly stipulates that all local authorities shall apply these regulations.
Lephalale Municipality says they are aware of the complaints regarding the tented church and have met on several occasions with the church leadership and members of the community. They have set mitigating measures in place, restricting the hours that church members are allowed to congregate. There are some delays in the construction of the church. According to municipal regulations, the completed structure will have to be sound-proofed. The municipality believes that there will be a significant reduction in noise once the building is completed.
The situation is monitored by the planning and development division and during a meeting with the leadership of the church last week, the building inspector was informed that the church should be completed by October.
According to W/O Frans Mokoena, Lephalale SAPS’ spokesperson, they will go out to investigate any complaint of extreme noise. “The problem is that most of the times when we arrive at the premises in question we cannot find a complainant,” Mokoena said.
For the police to open a case docket, somebody has to formally lodge a complaint in writing in the form of a statement.
At the time of going to print the By Fire By Force church had not responded to
enquiries.