The City of Cape Town has designated 11 fireworks venues for Guy Fawkes, on Monday November 5, and Diwali, on Wednesday November 7, as well as for New Year’s Eve.
Law enforcement and Metro police as well as a fire inspector would patrol the venues to ensure public safety, the City said in a statement. The public would not be allowed to discharge fireworks at the venues after 11pm, with New Year’s Eve being the exception. The designated fireworks areas are Athlone Stadium parking area (eastern side), Klipfontein Road, Athlone; Wesfleur sports field, Reygersdal Drive, Atlantis,
Bishop Lavis sports field, Lavis Drive, Bishop Lavis; Metropolitan sports grounds, Melkhout Street, Bonteheuwel; Blue Downs sports field; Delft Central sports grounds, Main Road, Delft; Macassar Beach parking area, Macassar Road; Swartklip sports complex, Swartklip Road, Mitchell’s Plain; Sarepta sports complex; Strandfontein Pavilion; and the tourism centre, in Athens Road, on Table View beachfront.
The City said only fireworks bought at an accredited shop could be discharged and then in accordance with the instructions on the package; fireworks should be discharged at the designated sites out of range of structures and vehicles; children should be supervised at all times around fireworks; fireworks should not be lit inside a container; people should not use fireworks while intoxicated and a City fire by-law banned Chinese lanterns.
The City said anyone detonating fireworks in any building or public thoroughfare or selling fireworks to anyone under the age of 16 or allowing them to handle fireworks without adult supervision was breaking the law and could be fined R200 to R300. “Children and animals are often the victims of fireworks-related injuries” said JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security and social services. “In the meantime, pet owners should keep their pets indoors as far as possible as pets are left traumatised, particularly by the illegal discharge of fireworks in residential areas.”
He urged the public to report the illegal sale or use of fireworks to the City’s Public Emergency Call Centre at 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone; or to SAPS at 10111.
