Pretoria - The City of Cape Town has appealed to Capetonians to be cautious and sensible when participating in organised fireworks displays during Guy Fawkes celebrations on Saturday.
"It is illegal to discharge fireworks other than at designated sites and law enforcement authorities will have a zero-tolerance approach to those who discharge fireworks illegally," warned the spokesperson for the city's Fire and Rescue Services, Station Commander Theo Layne.
Layne said the city has identified and made available seven designated areas where members of the public may discharge shop-bought fireworks, which will be closely monitored by public safety authorities.
The designated areas for the discharging of fireworks are:
Bishop Lavis Sportsfield, Lavis Drive, Bishop Lavis
Wesfleur Sportsfield, Reygersdal Drive, Atlantis
Macassar Beach parking area, Macassar Road, Macassar
Swartklip Sports Complex, corner Spine and Swartklip Roads, Mitchells Plain
Maidens Cove parking area, Victoria Road, Camps Bay
Athlone Stadium parking area (Eastern side), Klipfontein Road, Athlone
Sunrise Beach parking area, Sunrise Circle, Muizenberg
The city's fire safety inspectors and law enforcement officials, together with the Explosives Unit of the SAPS, will also be conducting inspections at fireworks display sites to ensure that all safety requirements are met.
Layne noted that all approved and organised fireworks displays in Cape Town are presented by licensed fireworks contractors who operate under the Explosives Act, Number 26 of 1956, the Explosives Regulations and the City's Community Fire Safety By-Law.
He urged members of the public who wish to attend fireworks displays to follow safety instructions given by fireworks operators, including event organisers and security personnel and keep behind safety barriers.
"Members of the public should only purchase fireworks from authorised dealers and shops displaying the relevant permits from the SAPS. Informal traders may try to sell fireworks without a permit, but this is not allowed in terms of the Informal Trading By-law," Layne said.
Fireworks are only permitted to be sold in sealed packages, as received from the suppliers. Children under the age of 16 are not allowed by law to purchase and/or discharge fireworks without adult supervision.
Layne reminded residents that anyone discharging store-bought fireworks at the sites does so at their own risk as the city will not be held liable for any claims for injury or damage that may occur from the use of fireworks.
"Residents are encouraged to keep their pets safely indoors where possible; animals are easily frightened by fireworks and can become distressed or try to escape from their properties. Before you leave your home on Guy Fawkes, please ensure that your pets are safely secured on your property, in familiar surroundings and out of harm's way," Layne advised.
The telephone number to call to report a fire is 107 from a landline and (021) 480-7700 from a cell phone. Members of the public with information relating to the illegal sale or use of fireworks can report the information to the Metro Police Call Centre on 0860-Police (765423) or to the SAPS on 10111.
To obtain more information about the location of the designated sites, please contact the city's Disaster Operations Centre on 080-911-HELP (4357).
