Resident fuming over noise from Horwood’s Farm
"Community members not following the rules of the park has been a problem for a number of years."
Relaxing at home on a weekend is one of the small pleasures many people look forward to after a long work week.
Noisy neighbours? Here’s the law regarding excessive noise
Hurlyvale resident Mr Warren Sheehan said this is not an option for him because of the noise levels from Horwood’s Farm during the weekends.
Mr Sheehan said over the past three years the music has become worse, especially during the December period.
“The noise has become so bad we are actually considering moving. Something needs to be done about it,” said Mr Sheehan.
He said on the weekends members of the public who frequent the park play loud music late into the night.
Mr Sheehan said despite being in his own home, he has to listen to the noise created by people at the park.
He said he has complained to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), security at the park and to the SAPS but has received little response.
“Thumping music” irks resident
He also receives no assistance when he phones the EMM call centre.
“The people at the call centre refuse to give me a reference number and when I ask to speak to a manager they hang up the phone. No one follows the rules at the park. The signs are up with the rules, but no one follows them.”
At Horwood’s Farm there are two signs and each sign stipulates a different closing time which, Mr Sheehan said, creates confusion about the park’s hours.
“Am I not entitled to peace in my own home? Why do I need to be subjected to the noise of others?
“I feel like my December has already been spoiled.”
He urged the municipality to determine who is to be held accountable to stop the music.
Mr Sheehan said members of the public also drink alcohol at the park which is not permitted according to the rules of the park.
“Come here on a Sunday morning after there has been loud music and you will see all the alcohol bottles.”
On one occasion he saw a van with large speakers pull into the park.
“People took out a large container filled with alcohol,” said Mr Sheehan.
Councillor Bill Rundle, of ward 19, said he reported the matter of the loud music and drinking at the park to the deputy chief of police for the EMPD and that the Edenvale EMPD has been instructed to conduct an operation at Horwood’s Farm.
He said the operation will take place over the festive period and aims to deal with the vagrants, drinking and noise pollution at the park.
“Community members not following the rules of the park has been a problem for a number of years. We need intervention,” said Clr Rundle.
A request for comment was sent to the EMM and the EMPD on December 14 but none has been received.
