Residents can act on noisy bars, clubs – councillor

JOBURG – Residents driven to distraction in the wee hours by noisy clubs and pubs can do something about it – without resorting to desperate measures.

According to Ward 87 councillor Amanda Forsythe, the first step is to know the facts, and know your rights.

“With the help of your residents’ association or ward councillor, you need to find out if the establishment has a liquor or entertainment licence, what the premises were zoned for, what their trading licence permitted them to do, and if they contravened other laws,” she said.

Forsythe said the next step would be to log complaints with the relevant authorities.

Noise disturbance – which includes excessive noise, noise outside of normal trading hours, and DJs or live music at places without an entertainment licence – is a bylaw infringement, and should be reported to the Metro police.

“You can also lay a charge against repeat offenders or get the police to validate a signed affidavit, which can be used to prosecute those trading outside their zoning or licence restrictions,” she said.

Noise pollution should be reported to the Department of Environmental Health via the Joburg Connect call centre.

Residents could ensure their complaints were taken seriously by sending a copy of the complaint with a reference number to their ward councillor or residents’ association.

“Try to provide supporting evidence like photos, videos, letters and affidavits with proof of date and time, as well as proof that the evidence came from the establishment you complained about,” said Forsythe.

The councillor added that noise complaints reported to Metro police or the police should be made at the time of the disturbance.

“Bear in mind that the reason some residential suburbs became noisy party zones was because of a lack of control and enforcement over time by departments like town planning and the police,” said Forsythe.

She suggested that residents hold the departments accountable by signing petitions, writing letters to the press, and the use of social media.

“Suburbs with weak residents’ associations have difficulty fighting off the urban decay and property devaluation that results from clubs and bars taking over the neighbourhood. Empower them by giving them the support and financial backing they need to represent your interests,” she said.

Details: Metro police 011-375-5911; Joburg Connect 0860-562-874