Pub in Wright Park investigated

Residents complained that the owner of a local pub plays unbelievably loud music which starts at approximately 2pm on a Friday and continues until the early hours of the morning.

“This practice usually continues all weekend, ending on Monday morning, on occasions at 3.45am, not to mention the drunken shouting, screeching of tyres and revving of engines,” says concerned resident, Pam Bubb.

She also says that the offender has been handed the by-laws pertaining to noise pollution and that the police have been called out on several occasions, without any response.

Since then there have been several more phone calls to the police as well as letters to the Department of Environmental Affairs. 

Bubb was then referred to the Springs Environmental Department where she phoned and, allegedly, the phone was picked up once after several times of calling and, upon hearing what it was about, they person simply hung up the phone.

These residents of Wright Park have been trying for nearly a year to get a solution to this problem but, thus far, have had no help from the police nor the municipality regarding this matter, even after signing a petition.

Not only is this tavern disturbing the peace, but has allegedly sectioned off municipal ground using wooden fencing to use as extra entertainment area.

Residents say that municipal staff are aware of this matter, but simply write it off.

There are aged people living in this area and some has serious health issues, worsened by the fact that they are deprived of any sleep most nights due to this pub.

Their property gets vandalized and rubbish is littered around the premises.

The Addie sent enquiries to Ekurhuleni and the matter was investigated.

EMPD Chief Superintendent, Wilfred Kgasago, responded to the complaints by saying that EMPD Specialized Services (By-Law Unit) investigated the complaint and found that the pub, Silver Lakes, is legitimate and that it had been in operation for over a period of two years.

Kgasago says that bordering on the pub is a park, which the owner has fenced off unlawfully and he was instructed to remove the wooden fencing as this park does not form part of his business area

The owner was made to play the music at full blast and the commander stood a few meters away to check the noise levels.

He also said that, after gauging the noise levels without any authentic gadgets, the conclusion was made that the noise levels were not as claimed to be, but that the EMPD will visit the place at night to reassess the noise levels at that time to compare both day and night observations.

“In the event the noise persists and the complaints keep pouring in, the non-compliance will be viewed in a very serious light with the resultant more stringent action being taken against the pub owner,” says Kgasago.

“The Health Department’s assistance will be sought in order to accurately measure the amount of decibels emitted with a view to checking the acceptable or non-acceptable levels of noise.”

At the time of printing the Addie had not been able to contact the owner of the pub. The Addie will update this story once contact has been established.