Positivity shone on the Newcastle community following the Newcastle Municipality officially gazetting the new bylaws and the accompanying fines. While promising a new dawn of lawful behaviour across the town, numerous residents questioned if the municipal entity was capable of enforcing the newly appointed bylaws.
As reported by Newcastillian News, Newcastle residents could face hefty fines if caught infringing on any of the municipal bylaws.
These fines are focused on a range of negative behaviours, from urinating in public, revving one’s car, and even making too much noise at a residential property. Additionally, a resident found guilty of illegal dumping could face a fine of R2,500, while a person caught littering or urinating in public could face a fine of R300.
To read more, click here.
While the newly gazetted municipal bylaws cover a wide range of social ills, Newcastillian News asked the Newcastle Municipality how it would enforce these new by-laws.
According to the Newcastle Municipality’s Communications Unit, the government entity will be using conventional methods by integrating all relevant law enforcement authorities to deal with various offences. This means manual law enforcement, where officials will either have to catch the offender red-handed or rely on community members to report perpetrators to the Newcastle SAPS and Newcastle Municipality’s Control Room.
Residents will also be expected to approach their Ward Councillors to report offenders in their ward, with evidence, and the Ward Councillors will then approach the relevant stakeholders.
While residents will now have to rely on authorities to take the necessary actions, the Communications Unit stated, “The relevant bylaws are fully promulgated, and the Chief Magistrate submitted the determination of fines; hence it is enforceable with severe penalties. The intent is to reduce and/or stop the environmental and social degradation experienced throughout Newcastle. This has the secondary effect of promoting businesses and attracting potential investors.”
With this said, the Communications Unit stressed that a zero-tolerance approach will be used to punish offenders. Furthermore, Newcastle Municipality’s Cllr Bertie Meiring added that the Newcastle Municipality and law enforcement agencies could not combat the issues by themselves.
“The Newcastle Municipality will be doing the best that it can do, and we will be working closely with the Newcastle SAPS where necessary. But people need to read the bylaws carefully to familiarise themselves, as to avoid infringing on them,” noted Cllr Meiring.
More importantly, Cllr Meiring noted it was instrumental that residents took responsibility and got involved with the community to work hand in hand with the Newcastle Municipality to see the bylaws fully enforced.
He further explained that this meant, that if a resident saw others breaking the bylaws, they should contact the authorities immediately and take photos where possible to hand over to the Municipality and SAPS. Through a combined effort, he highlighted that Newcastle Municipality’s by-laws would surely make Newcastle a better place.
To read the bylaws, click here.
With the Newcastle Municipality determined to bring about much-needed community upliftment through the new bylaws, what are your thoughts on all of this?
Share your views in the comment section below.
Comments 7
It seems, after all, that it is NOT the business of the Traffic Department…
Why do we debate who is responsible for enforcing the law? Surely we are all mature enough to obey the laws without a “policeman” standing over us? We ourselves should obey the law. Then we don’t need to complain on social media about Protection Services and SAPS. And teach our children to be responsible members of society.
If everyone obeyed the laws, the would be no need for policing of any kind…
Sadly, people disobey the law.
Various departments are responsible for enforcing different laws. These departments should enforce the laws falls under the jurisdiction.
Yes, the Newcastle SAPS, Traffic Authorities, designated Peace Officers and Designated Municipal Departmental Officers, can/must/are obliged to act on the laws in a consistent manner as directsled by the Law.
The community structures, like the CPF, Crime Forums, Security Officers, Business Forums and community at large, need only to report the crimes to the SAPS or Municipal Control Rooms, for action.
Where reports are made and not acted on, these must be followed up by the reporters for non action/accountability to be investigated.
THEY USE TAX PAYERS MONIES TO GET LAWS GAZETTED BUT THEY ARE THE MAIN OFFENDERS BUT NOT ENFORCING NOT MAKING AN EXAMPLE OF OFFENDERS BEING FINED.
SOMEBODY KNOWS SOMEBODY, WHO KNOWS SOMEBODY AND THATS HOW THEY KNOW LAWS ARE THERE JUST TO BE THERE, NOT AS WAY TO BRING LAW AND ORDER TO OUR TOWN.
EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP OUR TOWN CLEAN.
WE LACK AT MAINTENANCE OF ROADS, DRAINS, RIVERS AND LAWS.
Regarding the bylaws in our great town Newcastle. We need get camera installations by the government to fully administer these by laws to make Newcastle great again. Cameras for one simple reason yet crucial reason, this is for sale of prima facie evidence that needs to he produced in court. The implementation will otherwise be a long awaited dream to come to then. Cameras will be safety and security back to Newcastle again. The municipality control room will certainly need more screen for that and more eyes to keep an eye open.
If everyone obeyed the laws, the would be no need for policing of any kind…
Sadly, people disobey the law.
Various departments are responsible for enforcing different laws. These departments should enforce the laws under the jurisdiction.