MOSSEL BAY NEWS - During its monthly council meeting on Wednesday, 26 April, the Mossel Bay municipal council approved the proposed amendments to the public nuisance bylaw.

These amendments refer specifically to the control of public nuisances that may result from the indiscriminate use of drones.

The executive mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, said: "I want to make it clear that the use of drones is regulated by national legislation. The Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the Sea Shore Act (21 of 1935) have regulatory restrictions and prescripts on the use of drones and the municipality endorses these regulations.

"The amendments to Mossel Bay’s public nuisance by-law address the likely nuisance for our residents by thoughtless drone users."

The item brought about a lively debate in the council chamber, where councillors were assured that the municipality's intention is not to be prescriptive about the use of drones, whether professional or private, but to limit the nuisance that drones may cause.

The item served before the council after an extensive public participation process. 

Thereafter, a workshop followed for councillors, with an in-depth explanation of the scope and implications of the amendment to the by-law. Councillors were allowed ample opportunity for discussion and questions.

Support

Mossel Bay Municipality appreciates the use of modern technology, including drones, for community safety, environmental conservation, and the role that drone photography plays in tourism.

The municipality underscores the valuable role that drones may play, within the framework of the stated legislation, in the fight against crime, community safety, environmental conservation and tourism.

Mossel Bay's residents, on the other hand, expect the municipality to ensure an orderly society, the municipality noted in a statement. 

The amendments, therefore, provide law enforcement officers with the framework to act on complaints against those whose drones cause a nuisance to others.