Midnight noise, brawls and disgraceful public behaviour is taking place almost seven days a week right on the doorstep of residents in and around Brug and Bosman streets and the adjacent Paarl Main Road.
Residents here say that ever since the Kapstadt Brauhaus opened it’s doors on their doorstep eight months ago, they have been bothered by widespread public disorder and hooliganism.
It is not only loud music often coming from the Brauhaus which is the only problem, but the behaviour in general of many patrons visiting the venue.
Residents in the surrounding neighbourhood complain that the traffic there is mayhem and that cars park illegally and often right in front of driveways of houses.
Then there is also the problem of patrons leaving late at night, and drivers being evidently under the influence of alcohol, and driving off with screeching tyres and loud music coming from their cars.
Men have been caught urinating over residents’ fences or in their bushes as well as the occasional patron also throwing up in the street.
Another unwanted element which according to residents the Brauhaus has brought to the neighbourhood, is the problem of vagrant “car guards” who are now prowling the area and have brought with them a criminal element.
The major question arising among residents is why is there no law enforcement as to the many by-laws which are being broken here?
Last week residents again held a public meeting on this matter, this time in the presence of ward councillor Johan Miller. During the meeting residents raised their complaints and concerns and wanted to know what the municipality was doing about law enforcement in the area.
Miller was only able to answer that all the residents must make affidavits with their complaints.
Werner Neitz, co-owner of the Brauhaus. said he is going out of his way to accommodate residents in the area, while also trying to run his business successfully.
He said he has been in consultation with Miller on various occasions. He has committed himself to only rarely having live music performances with a duration on one and a quarter hours.
He has also since February been offering his patrons a shuttle service from Monday to Saturday so that they do not have to park their cars in the area.
Gerald Esau, Director for Community Service at Drakenstein Municipality, said different legislation is involved with different businesses.
The Municipality handles noise nuisance complaints in terms of the municipal ordinance for dealing with public nuisances and keeping animals.
“Any complaints of noise nuisance will be investigated by our bylaw enforcement division – in collaboration with our environmental management division – after which the necessary steps will be taken if required,” Esau said.
