The Kweneng District Council Chairman, Motlhophi Leo, has told his Councillors that the council’s By-Law Unit is currently re-enforcing by-laws. These are the Noise and Nuisance By-Law, the Animal Control By-Law, the Hawkers and Street Vending By-Law, Trade Act, Liquor Act and Industrial Development Act.
He said the implementation is aimed at attaining law and order in the District. So the Unit is issuing permits for control of noise and nuisance, conducting periodic business inspections, monitoring noise and nuisance throughout the district and monitoring security guards protecting Council premises. It also ensures that fines are paid timely by the persons who have committed offences against the above laws and attends to customer complaints about infringement of by-laws and delegated statutes.
“On the basis of the above the Unit’s activities are: a total of 101 permits for Noise and Nuisance were applied for throughout the District and all the 101 applications were granted within 24 hours of the application. There is need to develop a comprehensive Database on businesses operating within the district. This notwithstanding, a total of 514 businesses were inspected throughout the district. On the issue of monitoring noise and nuisance a total of 59 villages and settlements were inspected. A total of 23 complaints were received throughout the district and all the 23 were responded to within 14 days,” Leo said.
He added that it has been observed that of late by-law unit receives applications for permits for noise and nuisance for various social activities, many of which being for extended hours of operation beyond the ordinary 10 o’clock closing time.
“Currently our by-laws stipulate that permits can only be issued up to 10 o’clock and as such we have been unable to issue permits beyond these hours. By-law has, however, been receiving applications for extended hours for activities that will follow on the same categories: Cultural activities perceived to be community building- dikhwaere (traditional choirs), fund raising for destitute through night entertainment, all-night prayers for churches, cultural nights as well as entertainment through contemporary music (Arts) festivals, concerts beauty pageants, youth drama activities,” he said.
Councillor Leo pointed out the fact that the above provide the decision makers with an opportunity to review the Noise and Nuisance By-law to include category of operation beyond the stipulated normal hours, on condition that there would be no alcohol sale and alcohol activities. The payment for the permit will be enhanced to make it more prohibitive while accommodative at the same time with an enhanced permit application fees. This, he said, is envisaged as a revenue earner and as a means that would promote cultural activities geared towards community cohesion.
He said two more by-laws have been identified for adoption. These are the Natural Resources By-law, which deals with the payment for removal of natural resources from the district and the market stall by-law, which will regulate the market stalls at the Molepolole Bus Rank once complete.
“The following By-Laws will be re-tabled in the next full council sitting: the Food Vending by-law and Dogs by-laws. Councillors are urged to identify, from time to time, the need for new by-laws and amendments and reviews of the existing if we are to adequately service our community,” he said.
