Stuff that happened to you that doesnt deserve a thread
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Jeepers man, this loadshedding and power failure situation can make a person mad
So we dont have loadshedding tonight but we have an unplanned power failure. From 9pm. Joy.
So its 10pm and this office near where we live has their monstrous generator blaring. No problem i think, they will switch it off soon. Nearly 11pm and its still on. Its so loud that you can hear it even if you put a pillow over your head.
Family cant sleep and i cant sleep.
So i go in my pajamas with my cellphone torch to their gate and ask the guard to call the people inside. The guy comes out but cant speak English too well. They from overseas. He tells me not to worry it should be off by 00h30.
I nearly lost it. I told him what on earth is he doing at11pm on a Saturday night? He says its very important. So i said to him he is being unreasonable. He is depriving 10 families of sleep (units in our complex) because he has to do something. I said to him I am in my pajamas and i cant sleep. And he is welcome to come to my room and see how bad the noise is. I dont think he got it. Anyhow after some to and fro he agreed to turn it off.
I go back and am upset but glad i could resolve it.
10 mins later its still blaring.
So i unlock everything and go out again. This time i told the guard i will wait there until they turn it off. He calls the guy inside. I explained to him that i cant sleep so im just going to wait here until he turns it off. I dont think he thought i was serious the first time, anyway, he turned it all off and left.
Mission accomplished
People just dont care....
So we dont have loadshedding tonight but we have an unplanned power failure. From 9pm. Joy.
So its 10pm and this office near where we live has their monstrous generator blaring. No problem i think, they will switch it off soon. Nearly 11pm and its still on. Its so loud that you can hear it even if you put a pillow over your head.
Family cant sleep and i cant sleep.
So i go in my pajamas with my cellphone torch to their gate and ask the guard to call the people inside. The guy comes out but cant speak English too well. They from overseas. He tells me not to worry it should be off by 00h30.
I nearly lost it. I told him what on earth is he doing at11pm on a Saturday night? He says its very important. So i said to him he is being unreasonable. He is depriving 10 families of sleep (units in our complex) because he has to do something. I said to him I am in my pajamas and i cant sleep. And he is welcome to come to my room and see how bad the noise is. I dont think he got it. Anyhow after some to and fro he agreed to turn it off.
I go back and am upset but glad i could resolve it.
10 mins later its still blaring.
So i unlock everything and go out again. This time i told the guard i will wait there until they turn it off. He calls the guy inside. I explained to him that i cant sleep so im just going to wait here until he turns it off. I dont think he thought i was serious the first time, anyway, he turned it all off and left.
Mission accomplished
People just dont care....
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@Silver Download a recording app a
@Silver How annoying!!! Perhaps you could download a recording app and next time it happens, record the noise from various bedrooms in the house. Keep those recordings and if he continues to be unreasonable, report the situation to ?? (not sure to whom). By law one may not disturb the peace after 10p.m. if I'm not mistaken.
@Silver How annoying!!! Perhaps you could download a recording app and next time it happens, record the noise from various bedrooms in the house. Keep those recordings and if he continues to be unreasonable, report the situation to ?? (not sure to whom). By law one may not disturb the peace after 10p.m. if I'm not mistaken.
As far as I know that law has fallen away. There is no such thing anymore as a noise curfew. Depending on the rules set out by a complex/estate body corporate.
What that means you can have a party or make noise at any time. It also means you can report anybody for noise disturbance at any time of the day.
It's actually an interesting situation, because more and more people may resort to generators in the future.
Here's an interesting article:
https://www.privateproperty.co.za/a...isy-nuisance-neighbours-know-your-rights/3273
NOISE
According to Schindlers Attorneys’ Michali Zachariou (candidate attorney) and Chantelle Gladwin, (partner) South African law makes a distinction between ‘Disturbing Noise’ - which is “objective and is defined as a scientifically measurable noise level,” and ‘Noise Nuisance,’ which is “a subjective measure and is defined as any noise that disturbs or impairs or may disturb or impair the convenience or peace of any person.”
Both are illegal in terms of the Environment Conservation Act (73 of 1989) and the Noise Control Regulations. (In terms of Schedule 5 of the Constitution, the individual provinces have been responsible for administering these regulations since 1996.)
Disturbing Noise in the urban environment - a loud party, for example - is usually governed by municipal by-laws, so if your neighbour’s kids are driving you nuts with their doef-doef-doef at a ridiculous 85 decibels after 10:00 p.m. on a Friday or Saturday night, and if they refuse to respond to your polite requests to tone it down, a visit from the SAPS will usually do the trick.
Noise Nuisance, on the other hand, is more subjective and usually happens over a longer period. It’s defined as noise that “disturbs or impairs or may disturb or impair the convenience or peace of any person,” and could include dogs that bark incessantly, the roar from machinery, or any, similar, pervasive sound that makes your life a living hell.
Michali and Chantelle warned, though, that, “In order to show that a Noise Nuisance exists, a reasonable person must find a certain noise intolerable or seriously effecting his enjoyment of his property.”
In other words - you can take your case to court if you feel that you’ve become a victim of excessive noise, but you need to remember before you do that the court will apply a test of objective reasonableness.
LEGAL STEPS
If you do decide to take steps against your neighbour, you should begin by making a written complaint to your Local Authority. Many of them have Noise Control Units whose officials are empowered to take steps if they find that a problem exists. They could serve an instruction to reduce the noise, issue a fine, or even - in extreme cases - confiscate equipment.
If none of this works, said Michali and Chantelle, you could “apply to a court for an interdict to prevent your neighbour from causing the specific noise, or sue your neighbour for damages suffered as a result of excessive noise.”
They said that the court would generally consider “the type of noise, the degree of persistence, where the noise occurs, the times when the noise is heard and the efforts made to resolve the matter” before it makes a ruling - but that every case is adjudicated on its own merits since no fixed standards exist when it comes to determining whether an action of this sort is unlawful or not.
If you do succeed in obtaining an interdict, but your neighbour persists with his or her unlawful actions, “the neighbour may be found guilty of contempt of court, in which case the court may impose a fine or imprisonment in serious cases.”
Penalties for violating noise by-laws are laid out in Section 9 of the Noise Control Regulations: “any person who contravenes or fails to comply section 4 and 5 and liable on conviction to a fine no exceeding R 20,000.00 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.”
Here's an interesting article:
https://www.privateproperty.co.za/a...isy-nuisance-neighbours-know-your-rights/3273
NOISE
According to Schindlers Attorneys’ Michali Zachariou (candidate attorney) and Chantelle Gladwin, (partner) South African law makes a distinction between ‘Disturbing Noise’ - which is “objective and is defined as a scientifically measurable noise level,” and ‘Noise Nuisance,’ which is “a subjective measure and is defined as any noise that disturbs or impairs or may disturb or impair the convenience or peace of any person.”
Both are illegal in terms of the Environment Conservation Act (73 of 1989) and the Noise Control Regulations. (In terms of Schedule 5 of the Constitution, the individual provinces have been responsible for administering these regulations since 1996.)
Disturbing Noise in the urban environment - a loud party, for example - is usually governed by municipal by-laws, so if your neighbour’s kids are driving you nuts with their doef-doef-doef at a ridiculous 85 decibels after 10:00 p.m. on a Friday or Saturday night, and if they refuse to respond to your polite requests to tone it down, a visit from the SAPS will usually do the trick.
Noise Nuisance, on the other hand, is more subjective and usually happens over a longer period. It’s defined as noise that “disturbs or impairs or may disturb or impair the convenience or peace of any person,” and could include dogs that bark incessantly, the roar from machinery, or any, similar, pervasive sound that makes your life a living hell.
Michali and Chantelle warned, though, that, “In order to show that a Noise Nuisance exists, a reasonable person must find a certain noise intolerable or seriously effecting his enjoyment of his property.”
In other words - you can take your case to court if you feel that you’ve become a victim of excessive noise, but you need to remember before you do that the court will apply a test of objective reasonableness.
LEGAL STEPS
If you do decide to take steps against your neighbour, you should begin by making a written complaint to your Local Authority. Many of them have Noise Control Units whose officials are empowered to take steps if they find that a problem exists. They could serve an instruction to reduce the noise, issue a fine, or even - in extreme cases - confiscate equipment.
If none of this works, said Michali and Chantelle, you could “apply to a court for an interdict to prevent your neighbour from causing the specific noise, or sue your neighbour for damages suffered as a result of excessive noise.”
They said that the court would generally consider “the type of noise, the degree of persistence, where the noise occurs, the times when the noise is heard and the efforts made to resolve the matter” before it makes a ruling - but that every case is adjudicated on its own merits since no fixed standards exist when it comes to determining whether an action of this sort is unlawful or not.
If you do succeed in obtaining an interdict, but your neighbour persists with his or her unlawful actions, “the neighbour may be found guilty of contempt of court, in which case the court may impose a fine or imprisonment in serious cases.”
Penalties for violating noise by-laws are laid out in Section 9 of the Noise Control Regulations: “any person who contravenes or fails to comply section 4 and 5 and liable on conviction to a fine no exceeding R 20,000.00 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.”
When I lived in a complex block, there were rules regarding noise and a set time to switch off loud music. 10pm week days and 11pm weekends. This woman next door was always complaining about us on the weekends but we never complained about her son playing music all day, every day.
You just get sh1tty neighbours, IMHO.
I can write books about the neighbours I had in complexes.
Once had a neighbour who had problems with his wife/fiance. One morning at 01:00 she got angry at him and started going at the lounge suite with an axe.
Then another woman with a drinking problem wanted to throw her husband with a microwave. They managed to get the microwave away from her and she went into their garage to get a broken microwave. But she was going to throw her husband with a microwave. You don't mess with woman this side of the Jukskei.
To say the least we moved from there and live in a much better estate. The only noise we get now is when the neighbour watches rugby.
So with our unpredictable power situation I am much more aware of criminals and their opportunistic mindsets,so Im always “packing”...Tonight we pull in to the driveway and kiddo is strapped and fast asleep in her little baby seat,as I stop I see strange figure moving by her window,immediately I go ice cold and my mind goes beserk,just as I was about to draw and get serious I realize its her unicorn teddy hanging from the handle on the cars roof,wife saw the same thing and also almost painted the car seat when I started acting,was hilarious,but sad that we have to live our lives this way.
@Jp1905 , at least you were ready, you reacted to the situation and you processed the info fast and didn’t over react.
You could stop yourself and you did not throw lead untill you knew what it was at the window. Kudo’s to you sir, glad it was “just” a unicorn and not something worse and that you are all safe!
I must say it gave me one hella ice cold chill down my spine,but yes,luckily the reaction was there,this is also my reasoning to owning a firearm,I would rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it.
That unicorn needs a different seat in the car from tomorrow.
Agree wholeheartedly, rather safe than sorry. A new seat for the unicorn a bit lower perhaps or next to the precious bundle may be a better option. Otherwise he’s going to end up mounted above the fireplace!
Whew! I can hardly pick up a microwave on its own, let alone that and a man at the same time!
Just got back to Jhb from Durban after a very successful Junior Champs gala. A couple of members asked that I advise on my son's achievements, and since I'm so proud, here goes:
Michael, achieved personal best times in every event and won 2 Individual medals (Gold 100m Breast and Silver 200m Breast) in the 17-18 Age Group and 2 relay medals, 1x Silver and 1 x Bronze.
Michael also swam a FINA (International Swimming Federation) Junior World’s Qualifying time in the 200m Breaststroke.
So, we will be back in Durban in two weeks, competing in the Senior National Champs. If Mike can get a Junior World's qualifying time in the 100m breast, it may improve his chances of being selected in the SA Juniors team as a specialist breaststroker.
(Pic: In the middle, after Gold 100m Breast).
Michael, achieved personal best times in every event and won 2 Individual medals (Gold 100m Breast and Silver 200m Breast) in the 17-18 Age Group and 2 relay medals, 1x Silver and 1 x Bronze.
Michael also swam a FINA (International Swimming Federation) Junior World’s Qualifying time in the 200m Breaststroke.
So, we will be back in Durban in two weeks, competing in the Senior National Champs. If Mike can get a Junior World's qualifying time in the 100m breast, it may improve his chances of being selected in the SA Juniors team as a specialist breaststroker.
(Pic: In the middle, after Gold 100m Breast).
Thanks @Silver and @Room Fogger. Super proud!!
Note too self: take more Red Pill on next trip. Lost count of the amount of tanks I went through leading up to the finals. Also nice to see the amount of vapers are steadily increasing in the "smokers areas".
Note too self: take more Red Pill on next trip. Lost count of the amount of tanks I went through leading up to the finals. Also nice to see the amount of vapers are steadily increasing in the "smokers areas".
Hehe! You got that right! Thank you!Well done Michael
Congrats on your sons achievements @Asterix I can sense the pride oozing in your post
Congratulations. Hope this is the start of big things to come.
Well here I am sitting at OR Tambo airport about to board my flight to my new home in the UK. Serious mixed emotions.
good luck @Salamander, can’t be easy and completely understandable.
Whew must be quite something. How long do you intend staying there? I assume your move is work-related, or did you meet a sexy blonde on the Internet?
Agreed, I'm leaving for the UK on the 20th of May.
On another note, I decided to try my luck and send a Whatsapp message to my biological father, asking if I could see him one last time before I leave SA. I've not seen or heard from him in over ten years.
I get a message from him asking what would suit me, where to meet, times etc... I was very surprised as I normally never get a response from him. Perhaps I can then get a photo of us as he's old now and knowing he won't be around forever.
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Wishing you all the best with it @Salamander
I hope you find some peace and quiet time.
I can just imagine the mixed feelings - but I guess its great to look forward to something new and different.
Please do pop in from time to time and let us know how its going and how you finding it there - and give us an update on the vaping scene
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