By Perpetua Murungweni
Residents from, Rhodene a low-density suburb in Masvingo City are complaining over the persistent noise pollution from Caravan Park, a popular leisure joint located in the town’s outskirts along Masvingo Mutare road.
Residents said they barely sleep at least twice a week from the noise that comes Caravan Park and pleaded with responsible authorities to do something about the noise.
“The noise from Caravan Park is unbearable and it continues up to 3 or 4am; we barely sleep. Usually its two nights a week, that is Friday and Saturday when we don’t sleep peacefully, hence we are deprived of our much needed rest. We appeal to the responsible authorities to help us with measures that reduce the noise.
“Something needs to be done, two nights of noise is not a joke; the Caravan Park should be considerate of the community. At least they should have time to lower their volume say maybe from 12midnight,” said Tendai Kahari, a resident.
Another resident Jane Havatyi said the noise is unbearable to residents, especially those around Cary Street, which is closer to the night joint.
“The noise is unbearable especially to us who stay in Cary Street near TelOne offices. It feels like its right in our houses, so we cannot sleep, together with our kids. Should we then abandon our houses every Fridays and Saturdays? We agree, business should be run but not at the expense of our much needed rest,” said Havatyi.
Another resident Munyaradzi Nzira said they were not only affected by noise from the Caravan Park activities but from thieves as well saying most house breaks around the area happen during the nights when there is a show or any activity at the joint.
“We are not only affected by the noise, but thieves as well. Before we established effective night patrols, on a day when there was a gig, we would wake up to more than two housebreaks.
“We understand that its business and as the community we propose that they put a closed hall for loud shows. We are not fighting with the business but we are saying let’s see what works for everyone,” said Nzira.
Masvingo United and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) board chairperson Thomas Mbetu called on Masvingo City Council to address the noise concerns at Caravan Park.
“As MURRA, we call upon the City Council to step in and resolve the noise issues at the Caravan Park. There is need to have a balanced approach that allows businesses to thrive while also safeguarding the rights and quality of life for the surrounding residents.
“While our organization supports business initiatives that drive economic growth, we also believe the rights of nearby residents must also be protected,” said Mbetu.
Mbetu said MURRA was not against business but rather they are in support of all business initiatives that bring prosperity in the community but these businesses should not in any way affect the well-being of residents.
“We are not against business. In fact, we fully support any business initiatives that bring prosperity to our community. However, when those same businesses disregard the well-being of residents, it becomes a challenge that cannot be ignored.
“Residents living in the vicinity of the Caravan Park have lodged numerous complaints about the excessive noise levels, especially during late night and early morning hours. MURRA has taken up these concerns on behalf of the affected citizens,” Mbetu said.
Mbetu said MURRA will remain committed to finding sustainable resolutions that support the local economy while prioritizing the needs of the community.
“We are going to remain committed to finding resolutions that support the local economy while prioritizing the needs of the community and we urge city council to engage with all stakeholders to find a mutually agreeable compromise.
“Potential solutions could include stricter enforcement of noise regulations, working with Caravan Park management to implement sound mitigation measures, or exploring zoning changes to designate specific areas for noisier business activities,” said Mbetu.
Ward 9 Councillor Benard Muchokwa apologized to residents for the noise and urged the business management to embrace new technologies that help reduce noise.
“As the ward councilor I would like to apologize to residents for the noise that is coming from Caravan Park, at the same time appealing to owners and management of Caravan Park to adhere to their operational licenses. We are no here to fight business but the business should be sensitive to the surrounding communities. I’m appealing to the residents to be a little patient as we try to engage Caravan Park.
“I urge the Caravan Park management to try embracing the new technologies of using sound proof so that the noise does not affect the community. If they fail to take measures that reduce noise, I think as council we will have to give them land away from the communities,” said Muchokwa.
Muchokwa further said the noise affects the elderly people, school pupils and residents that reside along Cary Street.
“The noise is affecting the elderly people at Pioneer Cottages and our kids at Victoria Junior School boarding hostels, as well as the majority of people who reside in Cary Street. This also affects children from resting at night with such noise,” said Muchokwa.
On his part, Caravan Park operator Garikai Garande called for co-existence between Caravan Park management and the communities, calling for an all stakeholders meeting to discuss possible solutions that work out for both residents and the entertainment industry.
“On the matter of noise, I call upon residents to co-exist with our industry and look at the bigger picture, together with the impact of the Caravan Park rather than only focusing on one disadvantage which is noise. Residents should also try and engage us directly; a collective engagement will allow us to organize an all stakeholders meeting where we discuss this matter and come up with possible solutions that work for both the community and the entertainment industry,” said Garande.
Garande also pleaded with the communities to be patient with them as they were looking for solutions that will not affect communities in the long run, saying one possible solution was for council to give them land to construct an event center.
“We plead with residents to be patient with us as we look for possible solutions to this problem. The other possible solution is that Council allocates us land where we can build an event center but this solution is long term and takes time to implement.
“Making noise is not our business but to uplift the entertainment industry, improving the economy of Masvingo hence we are going to try reducing our volumes on weekends, while also trying to have at least one show per month,” said Garande.
In March this year the matter was debated in council, which led to a clash between councilors over the continuous application for conversion of residential stands to business hubs which they said were contributing to noise pollution in the commonage.
Some councilors expressed mixed feelings over Caravan Park which was described as the major culprit in noise pollution. Despite the clash, council went on to resolve the matter by granting Caravan Park a license to operate.
Noise pollution is also an issue in high density suburbs especially on Sundays when church services held at homes use loud speakers affecting neighbors.
Another issue in low high density areas is that of home industries where some small businesses who do welding use noisy grinders to cut steel especially when they work at night to make use of electricity that may not be available during the day due to loadshedding.
Masvingo Mayor Alec Tabe said the local authority had an ongoing operation to put law and order in the city, and will catch up with those making noise, urging residents to report such incidents to any of their administrative offices.
“We have an operation to put law and order in the city and we will address that. Residents can also report such cases to the nearest council administrative office,” said Tabe.
