Report noise pollution – DA
Find out what your rights are when the noise levels become unbearable
POLOKWANE – According to Wikipedia noise pollution is the disturbing or excessive noise that may harm the activity or balance of human or animal life. It is any sound which disturbs or impairs or may disturb or impair the convenience or peace of any person.
Where can I report this disturbance
According to a statement recently issued by the Democratic Alliance: Should the disturbance occur before 22:00 residents are urged to contact the Polokwane Municipal Control room at (015) 290 4270, (015) 290 2457, (015) 2902458 or alternatively (015) 290 2000/1.
After 22:00 they can contact the police at 10111 and insist on an Incident Report (IR) number. (This IR number assists in escalating the matter afterwards)
Should no joy be obtained with reporting, escalate the number with full details during office hours to the Health department at the Polokwane municipality at (015) 290 2352 or email johans@polokwane.gov.za.
What does the law regarding music, open-air music festivals and other similar gatherings state
It states that no person may operate or play a radio, television set, gramophone, recording device, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier or similar device producing, reproducing or amplifying sound, or allow it to be operated or played, in a public place, if the noise level measured at any point which may be occupied by a member of the public or at one metre from the source of the sound, exceeds 95 dBA, unless permission has been obtained from the municipality.
No person may stage a function in a residential area or similar gathering without the prior written consent of the municipality and the municipality may impose such conditions as it may deem fit.
Notwithstanding the above mentioned, functions in residential areas shall not in whatever manner, disturb or hinder the comfort, convenience, or peace of any person and shall end at 24:00.
It is a requirement that the event manager must obtain, and submit proof to the effect to the satisfaction of the Manager Community Health Services, the advice of a qualified sound engineer with regard to the set-up of the speakers and other precautions to limit a disturbing noise or noise nuisance to the surrounding environment. Click here to find out more regrading the municipal by-laws.
