A large firework caused damage to the Eastleigh Ridge home of Mrs Jenny Cawood in December.
According to Mrs Cawood, the explosive landed on the roof of her house before it bounced off and landed on the patio.
“Can you imagine what this would have done to a small child, animal or even and adult?” she asked.
While the laws surrounding the use of fireworks seem to allow people to set these fireworks off in their gardens, no thought is given as to where they could land and the damage they could cause.
“The authorities only seem to be concerned with the times people are allowed to set off fireworks,” said Mrs Cawood.
The firework which landed on Mrs Cawood’s house carried a warning label which stated it could cause damage as it can travel far distances at high speed.
“Another point of concern for us is that my husband was recently travelling behind a clearly marked metro police car. The driver completely ignored street hawkers selling fireworks illegally at the traffic lights. I thought they were clamping down on this,” said Mrs Cawood.
According to the spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Emergency Services (EES), Mr William Ntladi, safety measures surrounding the use of fireworks in Ekurhuleni falls under the codes section of the emergency services.
“However, we do not approve applications for firework displays,” said Mr Ntladi.
He added that the SAPS remain the custodians of fireworks permits under the Explosives Act 15 of 2003 under sections 13 and 15.
“The EES does not approve the applications for fireworks displays, but merely renders comments on the fire safety of the site identified for such displays once an application has been received,” said Mr Ntladi.
“Under the Explosives Act, no person shall operate a public display of fireworks on any premises without the written permission of the chief inspector of explosives,” said Mr Ntladi.
sThe Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, said enforcing laws surrounding residents who set off fireworks indiscriminately is difficult.
“The EMPD relies on community members to inform officers who would then tackle the problem in real-time,” said Supt Kgasago.
He advised residents to contact the EMPD control room on 011 923-0100.
“Alternatively residents can contact the Edenvale Precinct Commander, Chief Superintendent Andries Kekana, on 011 999-4243 or 082 467 5315 immediately after the occurrence of any such incidents,” said Supt Kgasago.
“In this case, the EMPD can only advise the complainant to lay a charge of malicious damage to property,” he said.
