News Cafe "nightclub" angers surrounding residents

Tshwane residents are objecting to a Karen Park business with a restaurant licence which "is being used as a nightclub during the evening".

Mighty Raseroka, a partner in the News Café at the Karen Park Junction, says the residents have written to the franchise complaining about the "loud music" from his business.

According to the the residents' letter "One of the conditions of a restaurant licence is that there is not supposed to be loud music, but there is in this case."

"The speakers are placed outside and music can be heard as far as 4km away. There is no 'sound proof' whatsoever, thus the noise travels to the homes in the area, disrupting the residents' sleep from Monday to Sunday (7am to 2am)," said residents' representative Tony Purcell.

He said the restaurant operated beyond its permitted hours (2am), "which is illegal".

"They claim they can operate (up) to 4am. They do not even display their licence for the public to see as required. On inspection, alcohol was seen leaving the premises, allowing patrons to drink in public, which is not allowed," he said.

Purcell said the nuisance caused by the trader's business may be in breach of the Liquor Act or conditions of his licence.

"Any person who feels aggrieved may lodge a complaint with the local police station commissioner, who will take steps against the trader," he said, adding residents were prepared to take the matter "as far as it is needed, to protect their rights".

Raseroka, however, said it was not true that "loud music" was played at the restaurant from Monday to Sunday.

He also said it was not true that the business operated beyond its permitted hours.

"I think these people do not like the fact that the majority of our patrons are black," said Raseroka.

He said there had been instances in the past when Tshwane Metro Police officers had been sent to conduct raids on the restaurant.

"We also had health inspectors sent to the restaurant to check if we meet health and safety regulations," he said.

Raseroka said they only played music on Fridays and Saturdays.

"We always organise with the local SAPS and the metro police when we have gigs on Fridays and Saturdays.

"This is aimed at ensuring that law and order is maintained.

"Most of the people said to be drinking in public are not our clients. They buy alcohol from a local supermarket chain and sit in the parking lot where they drink," said Raseroka.

He said it was the duty of security officers at the centre to ensure that action was taken against people who drank in public.

Ward councillor Johan Barendrecht said it was not true that Raseroka was being victimised.

According to Barendrecht, he received the residents' complaints and forwarded them to the metro police by-law enforcement centre.

"The officers investigated whether the complaint was valid.

"This does not have anything to do with victimisation," said Barendrecht.

He said he was trying to establish if a meeting could be arranged between the affected residents and the owners of the restaurant to sort out the problem.

"It might be a good idea if a meeting is arranged to sort out the problem," he said

Pretoria News

Posted at 09:45AM Jul 22, 2010 by Editor in Cities and Towns  |  Comments[6]