‘Time to take a stand on fireworks’

DEAR Editor,-

TO have seen the quote from Simon Soboyisa-April in the article regarding fireworks on January 9th that “their control room records showed no calls were received complaining about loud bangs”, I followed this up and asked for it to be checked.

I, for one, complained, and I am sure that many others did judging by the messages flying around the Facebook and Whatsapp groups.

This year was the worst I have known and caused a great deal of trouble. Mr Soboyisa-April said that the by-laws would be reviewed only after the municipal amalgamation in 2016. Yet we have a policy that was ratified in 2013. Added to this, SAPS will confirm the illegality of the use of many of these fireworks and where they can be used.

Now, to add insult to injury, we have the so called Chinese lanterns threatening birdlife and thatched roofs alike, and then, joy of joys, lasers being used to try to cause road accidents.

Sadly, it seems that we are going to have to demand a complete boycott of the use of fireworks and lasers unless in a controlled time and place under licence. Our law enforcement is not able to enforce responsible use, and they have too much else to deal with during the ‘so called’ festive season, such as crime and road accidents, often caused by drunk drivers.

It is time to stop pussyfooting around and take a stand once and for all. Let us stop the dread that has become part of the mad six weeks of December to mid-January for our responsible residents, and give them a chance to enjoy this time as they are entitled to.

CAROLE POTTER

DA Councillor Ward 18