Belhar residents are gatvol of CPUT students and the noisy parties they throw over weekends.
Rene Soul, who has been living in Belhar for 24 years, says ever since the Orchard residence was officially opened in Varsity Street four years ago, they have been having sleepless nights.
“I have no problem with the students, but they are extremely disrespectful. They make a noise and leave bottles around,” she says.
She says loud music is klopped by the cars parked outside.
“My bedroom is facing that direction and when I open my window, I sometimes see them urinating outside,” she says.
Drinking dop inside residences is not allowed, so the students suip outside and jol there.
When the Daily Voice visited the residence yesterday, there were students carrying dop and heading towards the open area, metres away from the residence.
There was broken glass all over the grass and two black bags which suggests that someone was busy clearing the area.
“Police come when we call them but as soon as they leave, the students start again,” says Rene.
She says at the next meeting of the neighbourhood watch, they will plan how to approach the university with their concerns.
“There are elderly people here and we miss having peaceful nights,” she says.
“We want the landlord to put in rules and make sure that they are followed by the students.
“ We were students before and we never behaved this way.”
CPUT’s Lauren Kansley says CPUT has not been directly approached with concerns.
“Orchards is a privately leased residence and, as such, any disputes should be raised directly with the landlord of that particular building.
“CPUT has not been engaged directly with regards to this matter.”