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Cape Town – With the first World Cup on African soil set to kick off, South Africans are flying the national flag high and blowing vuvuzelas everywhere - except at a Milnerton estate.

Mike Barfoot, who owns property on the Woodbridge Island estate in Milnerton, told News24 the estate's trustees had "issued a threat to owners and residents that flags are banned during the World Cup and any defiance will result in the imposition of a fine". Barfoot said the fine would be automatically added to their levy.

The notice was issued in a June 7 newsletter under the headline "The World Cup - Vuvuzela's and flags."

"Not on Woodbridge Island please," it starts and continues to say that the blowing of vuvuzelas is against "Rule 54 regarding noise, disturbance and nuisance" while "conduct rule 9.2 prohibits the erection of signs, notices". The newsletter goes on to advise residents to "put your flags on your cars, by all means".

Barfoot said the warning has upset some on the estate.

Draconian

"Many owners are upset by these draconian measures as they feel these bureaucratic dinosaurs are curbing personal freedoms.  Residents just want to support the World Cup, be patriotic and fly the flag in honour of their country or favourite team," he said.

He said the trustees could have relaxed regulations "for this once in a lifetime experience".

Barfoot said pleas for the relaxation of the regulations had been unsuccessful.

The chairperson of the estate's trustees was not immediately available for comment.

"Flying a flag during a World Cup is a bare minimum of our freedoms, a symbol of unity.  The trustees are appointed to protect, not suffocate the residents," said a frustrated Barfoot.

For Barfoot, it was being barred from flying flags that incensed him more than the banning of vuvuzelas.

"I do not personally own one of these (vuvuzela) but if I did, I know what I would like to do with it."