Sounds of gospel music filled the air around the Germiston Stadium on October 22.
But according to residents living around the stadium, the music and noise did not relent for almost 48-hours.
“The noise was so bad that my 18-year old daughter, who was trying to study for her finals, could not hear herself think.
“In fact, the noise was so loud, that the windows of our apartment rattled at times,” said Benita Luppnow.
Luppnow further explained that she called the metro’s call centre, as well as the EMPD for assistance, but received no help.
“Nobody seems to care or know how to stop this event that was causing a disruption in our area,” Luppnow said.
Other residents shared Luppnow’s sentiment. Joey Botes was one of them. “I am absolutely disgusted by the event that was held at the stadium,” Botes said.
“The noise levels were totally unbearable, with total disregard and disrespect to all residents in the area.”
Reportedly no intervention took place, despite the noise carrying on until after midnight.
“Surely there are municipal by-laws with regard to noise and the use of the stadium for events?” Botes questioned.
“We as residents had to make do with four hours sleep and then be the ones to carry the city the next day.”
In addition to the noise levels, residents were appalled by the amount of rubbish that was left behind once the event had ended.
“Driving past the stadium and rugby fields the morning after the event, all that could be seen was rubbish strewn all over the place,” said Botes.
Nicky Coward, who also lives in the area, commented on the number of vehicles in the area and the lack of co-ordination by the EMPD.
“There were vehicles parked everywhere. Even on the pavement,” Coward said.
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The GCN sent a query to the metro to question if the metro had been aware of the event and residents’ complaints and what measures were meant to be in place to ensure events at the stadium did not disrupt the community surrounding the stadium.
The spokesperson for the metro, Themba Gadebe, commented that the metro and EMPD were aware of the event and that the correct process had been followed when booking the venue.
“The event was booked to end at 11pm on the Sunday and Monday, however, the event was extended by an hour on Monday due to a late start,” Gadebe said.
“Normal security with support from the city’s disaster management team and EMPD was put in place to monitor the event.”
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