‘Bombarded in the privacy of our own home’ – Residents about fireworks in Greenhills

While there are laws in place for the use of fireworks, many still opted to go into the new year with a big bang.

For many across the country, the new year period at the end of December and the start of January is cause for celebration with a beautiful display of fireworks being a common sight on New Year’s Eve. In Greenhills, however, some residents claim to have been bombarded in the privacy of their own homes with fireworks either landing in their yards or so close it almost injured their loved ones and pets.

One Greenhills resident, Gerard Kleyn, said that he witnessed what he described as ‘a scary moment’ for him and his family. He further explained that at about 20:30 on December 30, he heard a loud bang on Percheron Street. Gerard and his family were sitting on the porch at the time when moments after the loud bang, pieces of a firework landed directly into a palm tree in his yard.

He stated that he was furious after realising that it was waste from a lit firework.

According to Kleyn, he took the precaution of ensuring that the palm tree had not caught fire before notifying the community on a WhatsApp group.

“My three German shepherds were hysterical after the bang and started jumping on the doors of my braai room, crying out consistently. My whole family together with close relatives who were at our house for the festive season were horrified. Luckily, no one was injured in the incident. We have six dogs and they were all terrified. Our animals were beside themselves after the firework went off,” he said.

• Also read: Festive fireworks and animal cruelty rife in town

He continued by exclaiming how upset the neighbourhood was.

According to him, a lot of individuals started asking questions on a WhatsApp group, since children and animals were in distress.

“The neighbourhood is not in favour of fireworks because of the effects it has on children, animals and the after-effects they can have on properties if they land incorrectly and cause a fire or injury,” he added.

Kleyn further explains that the firework that landed on his property is commonly known as a bomb cracker or bomb rocket that explodes in the air after it has been fired.

“We moved here from Johannesburg to be able to enjoy the tranquility of the neighbourhood away from the city,” he claimed.

Another resident of Greenhills, Carina van Staden also experienced a similar incident with fireworks.

Carina, her husband Corné, and Johan Kotze sat on the porch moments before a firecracker flew over the wall and onto their premises.

According to Van Staden, the fireworks exploded almost right beside Kotze.

Carina also claimed that her neighbour’s children were greatly unsettled and another resident’s pets were shocked to death.

“It’s traumatic for everyone. People with animals no longer go away over the festive season for this very reason and we are now even being bombarded in the privacy of our own home,” Van Staden stated.

Van Staden added that she feels no need to contact the police or any sort of authority in this regard since she does not see a possibility of this matter escalating. Furthermore, Kleyn stated that there was no case opened since the culprit is still unknown.

The spokesperson to the executive mayor, Tshidiso Tlharipe commented on the matter saying that the municipality is unaware of any fireworks-related incidents that took place in Greenhills.

“No case was reported,” he stated.

Tlharipe added that any complaints regarding fireworks can be made to Public Safety and can be directly liaised with Chief Kenny Mampondo. He can be reached on 011 411 0394 or via email at kenny.mampondo@randwestcity.gov.za.

Police spokesperson Solomon Sibiya said they too are unaware of any complaints relating to fireworks. However, residents experiencing such issues are urged to contact the Randfontein Police Station Commander on 011 767 2350 or 011 767 2351.