Lightshow, night(mare) show
It has become a tradition for people to want to end each year with a bang.
Firework shows can be spectacular to behold, but pose a safety risk to residents and animals when not kept under control.
Emalahleni Local Municipality and Law Enforcement took charge on December 31 to ensure that the illegal use of fireworks did not get out of hand.
The city’s administrator, Mr Theo van Vuuren, made it clear that the illegal use of fireworks in residential areas would be dealt with strictly.
Demarcated areas were arranged for the public to enjoy firework shows. These 15 identified areas in and around eMalahleni were patrolled by Law Enforcement and emergency services to provide control and safety. Sufficient warning was given beforehand to those utilizing the facilities.
“If any damages occur to any property and or person as a result of the activities performed at these demarcated areas the person who is responsible for firing the firework will be held liable. If activities at these areas at any stage are deemed out of control and dangerous, the law enforcement officials on duty may immediately intervene and stop activities,” Van Vuuren had stipulated in December.
Several fines were issued after laws and rules were disregarded by some.
“There were challenges in terms of people not utilizing identified spots for fireworks within the municipality, and decided to burn ‘crickets’ within the residential areas. This illegal action affected domestic animals negatively, and that was witnessed in the early hours of January 1, when a lot of dogs were found dead lying on the road as they were running away from their houses, due to the terrible noise caused by ‘fire crickets’.”
The plan became ineffective in some other areas when the community could not get hold of law enforcement officers who were on standby, and the Directorate Community Services took necessary steps to discipline these officials.
During the 2014 December operation, a lot of fireworks were seized from various shops within the city, and 12 dealers were issued with fines for violating municipal law on failing to keep explosives in a safe and lockable space.
Eight gas bottles were seized from different shops and maximum fines were imposed on the shop owners. The municipality could not get cooperation from residents in some residential complexes as they were displaying fireworks within the complex.
Emalahleni Local Municipality will be starting with the plan for 2015 festive season to minimize reported incidents during 2014, and more volunteers will be required to assist the municipality in ensuring that there is law and order within the municipality.
Emalahleni Local Municipality would like to thank those who complied with the request for utilizing identified spot for fire works,” Executive Director of Community Services, Selati Matlebjoane stated in a press release.
Witbank SPCA also had their hands full with several reports of missing animals and dogs found running around in the streets.
Homeowners who went away for the holidays must be sure to check in at the SPCA for their missing pets.
