Fed up locals stood together to stop illegal fireworks being let off by “unknowing” offenders.
When Ballito residents heard loud fireworks being let off on Sunday, December 28, they took action, asserting the KwaDukuza bylaws stating that fireworks are illegal, except for the stipulated time between 11.45pm on December 31 of each year until 12.15am of the new year.
Owner of Viva Security, JP Viljoen and his team helped locate the house where the fireworks came from.
When they found the house in David Place, lower Ballito, the concerned and angry locals parked their cars in the street outside the noise polluter’s house and refused to leave until the police arrived.
SAPS escorted the offenders to the police station, where they were fined.
“When SAPS arrived, they handled the situation brilliantly and despite being very busy this time of the year, they stood by the community,” said the founder of the Illegal Dolphin Coast Fireworks Facebook page, Warren du Plessis.
Umhlali SAPS lieutenant colonel Dieter Fittkau said they will respond where possible, but it is often difficult to determine the exact location of the fireworks.
The situation ended peacefully, as the offenders said they were not aware of the bylaws, apologized for their behaviour and paid their fine.
A sector involvement plan has been created in response to this fantastic team work, whereby the KwaDukuza district has been divided into eight areas.
Each area will have a volunteer team leader, who will be the contact person, should there be a similar fireworks incident.
If you would like to volunteer for your area, or want to find out who your contact person is, click here for more info.
