- The launching of fireworks will again not be allowed without the relevant permit.
This according to the City of Cape Town, who issued a statement in the lead-up to Diwali, Guy Fawkes’ Day and New Year’s Eve. Again, it will not provide any designated fireworks sites, as it had done since 2019.
However, this has not stopped people from discharging fireworks in residential areas. Said JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security: “Last year, we still had a number of transgressions as residents continue to set off fireworks, and they were not even deterred by the lockdown measures at the time.“Over just four days, from 4 to 7 November 2021, the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 357 complaints about the setting off of fireworks and 63 for the selling of fireworks.”
Those who want to host fireworks displays can apply for a permit in terms of the National Explosives Act and the Community Fire Safety Bylaw. Any event with 200 or more attending and/or requires any infrastructure build requires events permit from the City.
Chapter 11 of the Community Fire Safety Bylaw, which deals with fireworks, stipulates that a controlling authority set aside municipal land for the purpose of the letting off of fireworks by the public, subject to such conditions as may be determined by the controlling authority and indicated by a notice at the site.
People wishing to apply for a permit for hosting a fireworks display must do so through the police on capetown.explosives.cmrd@saps.gov.za. They may copy the head of the City’s Fire and Life Safety Section on ignatius.smart@capetown.gov.za.
If the application is approved by the police, applicants must contact the Fire and Rescue Service’s Fire Life Safety Section in the area where the display will be held, so a site inspection can be conducted.Apart from ensuring there are no fire hazards in the immediate surroundings, permission also needs to be sought from residents and businesses in the area, and strict conditions have to be adhered to before and during the fireworks, to mitigate any potential risk to public health and safety.“In recent years there has been a growing call for a ban on fireworks, but only national government has the authority to do so,” Smith pointed out.
“Every year our enforcement departments and animal welfare organisations have their hands full on these nights.“I want to urge parents to be responsible, as fireworks are dangerous and can cause serious, if not life threatening, injuries. Explosions at close range can damage hearing, and then there are the fire risks as well as the trauma caused to pets.”
Both the import and sale of fireworks without the necessary permission are illegal, as is the discharge of fireworks in an area not specifically designated for it. The use or detonation of any fireworks in any building and public thoroughfare is liable for a R200 fine; selling fireworks to a child or anyone under the age of 16 is liable for a R300 fine; allowing a child or person under the age of 16 to handle fireworks without adult supervision is liable for a R300 fine.
Anyone with information relating to the illegal sale or use of fireworks can phone 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone, or report it to police on 10111.
Launching a fireworks display requires a permit
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