Please see a guide from the City of Joburg and the national council of SPCA on fireworks and tips for keeping animals safe below.
From the of the City of Joburg by-laws:
1. Unless so authorised in terms of Section 33, no person may use fireworks:
- Within 500 metres of any explosives factory, explosives storage place, petrol depot or petrol station
- Inside any building
- On any agricultural holding
- At any public place
- At any school, old age home or hospital.
2. No person may light or ignite fireworks in any place where animals are present.
From the National Council of SPCA:
Fireworks on private properties:
We are referring to domestic properties in this section and to shop-bought fireworks. Whether or not it is legal to set off fireworks on a person’s own property is governed by the local by-laws. In some areas, no firework may be set off at any time without the written permission of the local authority. In other areas, it is permitted to set off fireworks on specified dates between certain times on domestic properties.
Please check local by-laws and make sure the by-laws you examine or are referred to, are the most up-to-date ones. Many Municipalities amended their by-laws recently, specifically on the issue of fireworks. Your Council or your local SPCA should be knowledgeable on the situation in your area.
In some areas, the discharging of fireworks could be an offence in terms of noise pollution. It is worth checking – and it is always worth reporting any untoward or hooligan use of fireworks. Discuss the matter with a local councillor, advise and call your security company and do not be afraid to submit complaints and reports to your local police.
