Residents living opposite a high school in Scottsville say they are gatvol of rowdy laaities taking over their road.
Petunia Street residents say a large group of teens are attracted to Scottsville High School due to its free Wi-Fi.
While many pupils from the school come to do their homework, for others it has turned into one big social hangout.
Not only do they play music on large speakers, but the road is so full that motorists are forced to turn around.
Residents have also complained of drug abuse and damage to their property
Homeowner Shirley Pieters says the laaities arrive early in the morning and stay until late at night including weekends.
“This is giving us headaches. I can appreciate the children who come to do their homework using the free Wi-Fi, but now there are criminal elements,” she says.
“Some people’s windows have been pelted with stones, and the youngsters openly smoke dagga.
“On Friday I went to see the school principal again, but he keeps dodging us.
“The school needs to keep the criminal elements out before more serious crimes are committed.”
Pensioner Elsabe Douglas, 62, adds: “Some of these kids sit on my boundary wall like they live here, the stopcocks in the road were also damaged.
“We want the Wi-Fi to be switched on from Monday to Thursday, and switched off at 4pm, so that we can get some peace.
“Weekends are even worse, they don’t care about the sick or elderly living here.”
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond referred queries to Premier Alan Winde, saying the free Wi-Fi is his office’s department.
Winde’s spokesperson Bianca Capazorio says the free Wi-Fi is to benefit the entire community, especially those seeking jobs, and not just school kids.
“The Wi-Fi is not specific to the school which is why it is not just limited to certain hours and to school learners,” she explains.
“The behaviour outlined in the complaint is an unintended consequence of our attempts to improve internet access to citizens and businesses across the Western Cape.
“In fact, the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services issued directives under the Disaster Management Act that compel us, and our service provider, Liquid Telecoms, to not only keep networks fully operational, but to expedite roll-out.
“We are therefore unable at this time to remove or limit internet access at any of our sites.”
She says the department would conduct a site visit to see how they can assist residents, and urged them to report illegal or anti-social behaviour to the police.