The sight of men urinating in public in both the Central Business District (CBD) and residential areas, individuals walking along suburban streets with beer bottles in hand, beggars stationed at intersections, and widespread littering and illegal dumping has become all too familiar for Newcastle’s residents. Despite the introduction of new bylaws intended to curb these behaviours, many Newcastillians feel that the changes they hoped for have yet to materialise.
In July 2024, the Newcastle Municipality officially approved a set of bylaws designed to address a broad range of social issues that have plagued the town.
These bylaws were met with a mixture of optimism and scepticism from the community. Many were hopeful that this signalled the start of a new era for the town, while others were uncertain about how effectively the Newcastle Municipality would enforce these laws.
As reported by Newcastillian News, the newly implemented bylaws target a wide array of public offences, all of which are now classified as criminal acts. Offenders face significant fines or even imprisonment if these bylaws are overstepped. These offences include urinating in public, drinking alcohol in public spaces, begging at intersections, noise pollution from loud music, and the use of fireworks in public places. These regulations were introduced to restore order and dignity to Newcastle.
For further details on the specific crimes covered by the new bylaws, click here.
Despite many residents’ hopes, little seems to have changed since the bylaws were introduced.
“The new bylaws are a joke; the Municipality has done absolutely nothing to enforce them. I live in Barry Hertzog Park, near the shopping centre on JBM Hertzog Avenue, and there is still heavy drinking in public, men constantly peeing everywhere, loud music, and some people even poo in sections of the parking lot. I won’t even mention the CBD, where the same is being done. It is disgusting, and nothing is being done,” exclaimed a frustrated resident, who asked to remain anonymous.
The resident’s frustration echoes a broader concern within the community that the bylaws, while well-intentioned, are not being properly enforced. However, there may now be a change on the horizon. The grace period that allowed residents time to familiarise themselves with the new regulations has come to an end.
Following this period, the Newcastle SAPS (South African Police Service) officially incorporated the bylaws into its system, signalling a new phase in law enforcement.
On Wednesday, 16 October 2024, Amajuba District SAPS Commissioner, Major General Fred Alexander, announced that the bylaws had been formally entered into the police system. Speaking to law enforcement and municipal officials on Allen Street during the launch of October Transport Month, Major General Alexander confirmed that the SAPS would now take an active role in enforcing the regulations.
“There are people who are drinking in public, urinating in public, and more. Now that we have the bylaws in our system, the SAPS will be assisting in ensuring the bylaws are enforced and that those who fail to comply face the consequences,” stated Major General Alexander. His comments signal the beginning of a concerted effort to ensure that the bylaws are not just words on paper but actively upheld within the community.
In the coming days, Newcastle is expected to see a stronger police presence on its streets. Law enforcement will focus not only on curbing the rise in crime often associated with the festive season but also on ensuring that residents adhere to the new bylaws. The goal is to bring order to the town and address the antisocial behaviours that have long gone unchecked.
Newcastle Municipality’s Executive Committee Member, Cllr Faizel Cassim, expressed optimism about the Municipality’s collaboration with the SAPS, stating, “This will definitely benefit the town. The Municipality does not have a large number of municipal bylaw officials, and the SAPS also have limited officers. But now, by combining our efforts and working closely together, we will see a difference in town.”
Cllr Cassim also noted that with the bylaws now listed in the police system, private security companies would be able to offer additional support. “Each municipal department has a bylaw inspector, and the Municipality has bylaw officials tasked with ensuring enforcement. But now we can combat crime and implement the bylaws together to ensure the community is safe and that Newcastle can improve,” he said.
Building on this, Councillor Musa Ndlovu of the Newcastle Municipality also expressed confidence that the enforcement of the bylaws would address long-standing issues in the community.
“This is going to benefit Newcastle, especially Ward 5, (which covers Barry Hertzog Park, Ncandu Park, and Amajuba Park), as crime has escalated in the area,” said Cllr Ndlovu. He explained that there are numerous vacant houses in Ward 5, which criminals have taken advantage of. These individuals monitor homes, break in, and then hide stolen goods in vacant properties. The increased collaboration between the SAPS and the Municipality, Cllr Ndlovu noted, will now make it possible to address these concerns.
Cllr Ndlovu also highlighted the Barry Hertzog Park Shopping Centre, a location that has been a significant source of frustration for residents. He explained that through the enforcement of the bylaws alongside law enforcement, issues such as public drinking, public urination, and loud noise at the shopping complex can now be addressed.
“There are people who make loud noise at the shopping complex, they break bottles in the parking area and along the road as they walk. This can now all be addressed, and residents can finally see an improvement in their community,” concluded Cllr Ndlovu.
As the Newcastle Municipality gears up to fully implement the new bylaws, with the support of local law enforcement, residents are hopeful that the partnership will finally bring an end to the social ills that have long afflicted their town. With a united stance between the Municipality and the SAPS, the community looks to the future with cautious optimism.
What are your thoughts on the enforcement of these new bylaws? Share your views in the comment section below.
Comments 13
Question….what is The SAPS going to do about the urinating in public, even women are doing it, this said that the people who urinate in public have no self respect or morals, it is so disgusting seeing a human pee against a tree ect….I was bluntly told it’s their culture to urinate in public….I have seen SAPS members doing the same in uniform…..if they can’t bring some self respect to the town then how do they expect to enforce the bylaws….as for the public drinking this has become a normality in the town once again SAPS drive past the culprits and do nothing about it….the SAPS members are too busy receiving favour’s from certain Individuals in this town….that is why nothing gets done to culprits breaking the law. Honestly if all the Station commanders and higher ranks of the SAPS pull their members together Newcastle will be free of all this nonsense, yes I am blaming the heads of the SAPS NEWCASTLE….if you ask me the heads are too lienent on their people….
Very well said, you are absolutely correct. The other issues are SAPS are sometimes more intoxicated than the people they intend arresting. Would love to see them on Kirkland and muchsion street trying to enforce J walking.
What a laugh it would be
This is fantastic news, we will have to wait and see if every body place their part. If we phone the people responsible to come and make noise makers still will they come out? Who do we phone, is there a list of names and who is responsible for what, i mean who do i phone for noise, or for illigal dumping and so on.
Tank you.
There people still living under Hardwick road bridge….next to the oval track. Smoke from fire seen at times and a washing line
I hope the new bylaws are now implemented properly i
Newcastle Municipality is all talk no action… they will say the same nonsense come in the new year
Agree. Allegedly they dont have manpower. Another copout. The beggars on the streets on lower allen / Kirkland street are a menace to drivers at night especially with the road being narrowed dur to roadworks. The filthy methheads and vagrants camped out at shopping centres and parking lots annoy me to no end. If I’m driving it stands to reason I can see. Standing behind my vehicle when I’m reversing is not helping it’s hindering. Actually stopped going to places like Khans bakery and butchery, Bosco supermarket, Village Walk, because they harass you the minute you walk out the store. Plus they litter and leave all their glue sniffing and drug paraphernalia all over. A new store opened on scott street was curious to check it out the minute I saw the vagrants I drove on by. I’m not heartless but I don’t enable drug addicts and hustlers. As for the feeding scheme on Scott Street, Silver Spoon on Thursdays the ungrateful pigs throw the polystyrene containers on the street after they are done eating and then urinate against the poor walls of the complexes across the street. Newcastle is becoming a slum. Drive up Allen street a block away from the police station drunk people who can barely walk are crossing the street. There are hookers on every street in Central day and night it’s disgusting.
Previous bylaws were not enforced in any way. What makes anyone think that the new ones will be?
This is just a case of paperwork for the sake of paperwork.
Minicipality to get residents in the townships to pay for consumption and services both rates and services and electricity consumption. In the townships there is litter all over and electricity load reduction.
It sounds all to fantastic to be true. Firstly where must people urinate if there are no toilets??? The few that there are disgusting and out of order. Build more toilets and give work to people to be cleaners.
Second. There are no visible drums painted with the municipal badge for rubble. Again place out a big amount of clean, freshly painted drums. Hire people to become cleaners. Or do you want to tell me that these people are going to be fined Let me tell you now; they will not pay the fines. Everywhere plots are filthy with long grass which invite these culprits. The prisons are overfilled, so where are these people going to be licked up, if ever. I put this, boots and all on the shoulders of put Municipality. Send our Mayor to the only toilets in the CBD TO CHECK FOR HIMSELF.
All talk. Let’s hope it can be implemented. I went to Shoprite in the CBD area only to find people urinating against the wall of the building. Not once or twice. But three times within 5 minutes. To say I was ticked of would be putting it mildly. I’m a woman. I don’t want to see your nudity. It’s an absolutely disgusting habit. I would say bring toilets so people can use it. But at the same time I know that can also be disturbing as some will do their thing against those walls and even the floor. So it would mean keeping it hygienically clean and safe to use. Let’s hope the solution is in sight as these dirty habits is absolutely filthy and without any regard for anyone thats in the same vicinity.
I agree, it’s so disgusting walking past a person standing and urinating against a wall or tree, it’s actually says these people have no moral standards, and it’s all kinds of people, women included, the shoprite centre charges people to use the facilities with your R2 you get a clean facility to use including toilet paper, however these fancy dressed people who decide it’s better to urinate against a wall and leave a horrid urine smell in the town is better than paying R2. These same people get out of their fancy SUV and expensive vehicles to pee against the wall. There are municipal toilets available to use however the community have vandalized those too, no it’s more etiquette to urinate in public and make those with moral standards sick and angry at the ways of those with no social class.
Bylaws can only be enforced if the law enforces do their work and not turn a blind eye to those who not abiding to the laws, urinating in public is happening where law enforcement is yet they do nothing, I have seen Traffic Officers as well as SAPS members urinate in public against the nearest tree, the police vehicles drive past people drinking in public, walking with open alcohol bottles in public consuming the beer ect. Nothing gets done. Until the law enforcers are serious about doing their part none of the bylaws will be adhered to