Firework ban in effect in CT

2008-12-30 22:41

Johannesburg - Capetonians are warned not to use fireworks on New Year's Eve, said Western Cape officials on Tuesday.

"The Western Cape is well into its fire season and an appeal is made to residents and visitors to Cape Town to not discharge fireworks as veld or structural fires could occur," said Cape Town's Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes.

He warns that the only fireworks allowed would be those that have been approved by the city of Cape Town and the SA Police Service.

Only two places have been authorised for organised public fireworks displays - the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and Leeukoppie Estate in Hout Bay.

Police will be patrolling neighbourhoods and confiscating fireworks. In addition to this, violators of the fireworks ban could face fines up to R1 000 and as much as 12 months in jail.

The law enforcement agencies of the City of Cape Town and the SA Police Service will patrol neighbourhoods, confiscating fireworks and issuing fines to violators.

This means that on New Year's Eve and continuing throughout the extended holiday period, officers will conduct nightly patrols throughout the city.

The penalties for violating the law will be significant. In addition to having their fireworks seized, violators could be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding R1 000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

- SAPA