With Diwali celebrations at the end of October and Guy Fawkes a week later, the City reminds residents that no fireworks will be allowed without the necessary permit. Although there has been a slight decline in fireworks-related incidents and complaints in recent years, it remains a contentious issue.
The City of Cape Town dispensed with designated fireworks sites in 2019, for Diwali, Guy Fawkes and New Year’s Eve.
This year will be no different; anyone wishing to put a fireworks display on needs to apply for a permit from the South African Police Service in terms of the National Explosives Act.
If the application is approved by the police they have to contact the Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Life Safety Section in the area where they plan to hold the display, so a site inspection can be carried out to determine whether it is indeed safe for a fireworks display.
Apart from ensuring there are no fire hazards in the immediate surroundings, strict conditions have to be adhered to before and during the fireworks display to mitigate any potential risk to public health and safety.
If more than 200 are expected to attend, or the event requires any infrastructure build, the applicant also requires an events permit from the City.
Between October and November complaints about fireworks increased, particularly in residential areas.
Members of the public must bear in mind they can be fined for setting fireworks off without a permit, selling fireworks to anyone under the age of 16, or allowing a person younger than 16 to handle fireworks without adult supervision.
“Although the popularity of fireworks has decreased in recent years, there remain those who find joy in setting fireworks off and terrorising their neighbourhoods and pets,” Mayco Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith pointed out. “The trauma and stress, particularly in communities wracked by gun violence, is something we all can do without. It is also an incredibly difficult offence to enforce, since the locations can’t often be pinpointed or the perpetrators disappear before staff are able to get to the scene. Ultimately, a national ban on fireworks is the best solution, but until then we ask that residents report those selling fireworks illegally so we can try and reduce the supply on the streets.”
Residents are requested to report any incident, suspicious behaviour or criminal activity by phoning the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone and 107 from a landline.
