VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
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A campaign to stop the anti-social practice of

fireworks traumatizing people and animals

of the Hibiscus Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

MUNICIPAL BYLAWS
 Historically, there has been an increased level of anti-social behaviour experienced by the public due to indiscriminate and sometimes criminal use of fireworks

 VISION 2002

To be a thriving, well managed, tourist friendly provincial leader, providing quality services to all its inhabitants in a safe and healthy environment

Before listing the pertinent clauses contained in the Municipal Bylaws that currently govern the purchase, sale and use of fireworks, we need to dwell on the full import of the terminology used in Vision 2002.

Per the Oxford English Dictionary:

  • Inhabitant:  a person or an animal that dwells in a place

  • Safe:  uninjured; secure; out of or not exposed to danger

  • Healthy:  conducive to good soundness of body

Fireworks are dangerous and always cause injury to some inhabitant. In addition to the extreme noise pollution, their toxic outfall damages the health of both creatures and the environment.  Furthermore, they can cause damage and destruction to both property and vegetation.

Considering the continuous barrage of loud and percussive fireworks that shook the Hibiscus Coast in the 2006 December season, is Vision 2002 being achieved?

  • Well managed: were the bylaws enforced?

  • Provincial leader: did our municipality show the way?

  • Quality services: did Protection Services perform its duties?

Now would be an ideal time for qualitative and quantitative measurement of Vision 2002 and to consider the more stringent fireworks Bylaws promulgated by neighbouring Umdoni Municiaplity.

Our key aim is to stop, or at least minimise, the level of injury and nuisance caused by the anti-social use of fireworks, and to support the fire service and local authority in this campaign.

"Any person who fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section is guilty of an offence and is on conviction liable to a fine not exceeding R5000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months."

MUNICIPAL FIRE BRIGADE BYLAWS

DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS
 The discharge of fireworks within the Municipal area is unlawful with exception of the following days:

(a) 5 November
(b) 1 January
(c) the 7 (seven) days of the Deepavali Festival

and any other day for public display of fireworks if Council's permission is obtained (in writing).

DEALER IN FIREWORKS

No person may deal in fireworks within the area unless he/she is in possession of a licence to trade in fireworks as contemplated in section 7 of the Explosives Act, 1956.

The licence for dealing in fireworks, issued by the Chief Inspector of Explosives, must at all times be displayed in a prominent place at the counter containing fireworks, and the licence must be legible at all times.

Notices, in red letters (at least 100 mm high) on a white background, which read "DEALER IN FIREWORKS/HANDELAAR IN VUURWERK", must be affixed prominently to the outside of the premises at every entrance to the premises and must at all times be legible.

Fireworks must be enclosed in the original inner packaging as received from the manufacturer
The quantity of fireworks that may be kept on the premises of a retail dealer is governed.

DEALING IN FIREWORKS

All fireworks offered for sale and/or displayed in or on the premises must be behind glass at all times or, alternatively, in a place where the public has no access to them.

No fireworks may be sold or offered to any person who is apparently younger than 16 years.
All fireworks must be offered for sale in the original packaging.

No acids, flammable liquids and/or flammable gases may be kept, stored or sold in or on premises where fireworks are also kept, stored or sold.

No devices producing an open flame may be kept, stored or sold in or on premises where fireworks are also kept, stored or sold.

No electrical device and/or apparatus generating heat may be permitted or brought within 7 m of any fireworks

All matches and cigarette lighters must be kept at least 5 m from any fireworks.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A PUBLIC FIREWORKS DISPLAY

A suitably qualified pyrotechnician must apply to the Chief Inspector of Explosives in the magisterial district of the Service for a public fireworks display.

At a public display of fireworks it shall be an offence:

(a) for any person wilfully to enter or remain in that area reserved for receiving falling residue from aerial fireworks:
(b) for any unauthorized person wilfully to proceed beyond the area demarcated by the organizers of the display for spectators: and
(c) to disobey the instruction of a uniformed law enforcement officer.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRIVATE DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS

No fireworks may be discharged on a private residential Erf unless all the distances referred to in this annexure can be maintained. (100m)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BYLAW AS GAZETTED
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