Greymont, Albertville and Albertskroon residents are calling on the City of Joburg to ban fireworks in residential areas.
“The main reason for this proposal is to highlight the cruelty that people, pets, wild birds and other animals experience as a result of the sound of fireworks,” Greymont Resident’s Association chairman Clive Malherbe said on 1 September.
“We recognise the need of people to celebrate with fireworks. We’re requesting that this is done away from residential areas though and propose that these regulated and approved events be held in stadiums to minimise the trauma caused as a result of fireworks.”
He implored Ward councillors all over Johannesburg to take action.
“Ask your residents and your residents’ associations to create similar petitions or to sign ours so that our voices can be heard.”
Residents can grow this petition by signing and publicising it with their friends, family and work colleagues.
“Without overwhelming support from residents of this City we will not be successful.”
The petition also requests the banning of the sale of fireworks by commercial concerns in residential areas. The petition reads, We the residents of Johannesburg request that the City of Joburg amend their laws regulating fireworks and to implement the following: No fireworks in residential areas for any reasons and on no days or times whatsoever other than the events approved by the City. To severely restrict the retail selling of fireworks to any individual by a commercial concern without an approved and valid permit. To supply fireworks only to business concerns for public events held in stipulated areas determined by the City of Joburg.
Malherbe said he ideally wanted the petition signed by the end of September to submit it to the City of Joburg Petition Committee and to the mayor.
He quoted Mahatma Gandhi, The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
*Sign the petition by going on to the on-line petition at www.greymont.co.za.
