4 June 2004

By Moruakgomo Masibi and Sipho None

THE West Rand District Municipality will come down hard on businesses and individuals selling or discharging fireworks and explosives in contravention of local by-laws.

Jorrie Jordaan, the municipality's director of public safety, says the enforcement of these by-laws became necessary after there was an increase in reported cases of the uncontrolled use of fireworks.

"In view of the negative impact and damage to property, the public safety directorate had no choice but to enforce the by-laws," Jordaan said. "There has been an increase in injuries due to the uncontrolled use of fireworks and explosives in our area."

The by-laws would be enforced immediately and anyone caught discharging fireworks unlawfully in the district would be prosecuted, Jordaan said. The areas affected were Mogale City, Randfontein, Westonaria and Merafong City.

Police superintendent Milica Bezuidenhout said individuals and businesses found dealing illegally in fireworks would be prosecuted. Hefty fines or jail sentences of up to 25 years could be imposed on anyone found guilty of contravening the by-laws.

Jordaan said permits would be issued on an ad-hoc basis. "We will issue permits for conditional approval relating to the controlled discharging of fireworks. Such permits would be issued to people and groups intending to discharge fireworks in an organised manner for specific purposes."

Only businesses and individuals who had valid licences were now permitted to sell or discharge fireworks.

Mogale City businessman, Munir Khan, sells fireworks. He was pleased about the new approach, saying it had taken him two years to get a licence. "I'm very happy that I will be able to sell my products without any problem. Some people out there sell fireworks without valid licences and this has a negative effect on my business," he said.

Krugersdorp resident Nomsa Salman was also pleased by the clampdown. Salman said a child in her neighbourhood had lost his arm in a firework accident.

The move would help many residents because they could no longer distinguish between the sound of fireworks and gunfire, Salman said.

Source:Dikgang Tsa Mogale