Fireworks set tempers alight

POLOKWANE – The use of fireworks not only led to the deaths of several dogs over the past two weeks, but also a fight between residents.

Residents in Erasmus Street in Flora Park said they were bombarded with the noise of fireworks between 25 December and 1 January.

Danny Basson said he contacted the police several times to try and stop the people from shooting fireworks as it was upsetting his dogs, but they did not come to light.

“My dogs, two fox terriers, were getting more and more aggravated and when I tried to calm them they started fighting. One of my dogs bit me when I tried to stop them fighting, and I had to receive medical attention,” Basson said.

He said after this incident he decided to go to the Flora Park dam a few blocks from his house and confront the people letting off fireworks. “The people were drinking and became aggressive when I requested them to stop letting off fireworks as it was aggravating my dogs and making them fight. They laughed and said it was the festive season and I must leave before I get hurt as I was spoiling their day,” Basson explained.

He said as he walked away one of the men threw a fire cracker at him and a fight ensued between him and the man. Basson said this was just one of the incidents in which people or dogs fought with each other.

In Bendor and Ladanna several dogs had to be put down as they attacked and killed other dogs in the same yards as them.

Bendor resident, Nadia van Rensburg, said she lost two dogs on New Year’s eve when the one ran away and the other was killed by a stray dog in the street in front of her house. “I do not blame the animal that killed my puppy because I am sure it is a matter of being afraid of the loud banging sounds which caused the dog’s aggression. My only fear is what would have happened if the dog attacked one of my children, who will then be held responsible?” Van Rensburg asked.

Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said the municipality is currently meeting with community safety members to get a report of incidents that happened over the holidays. The report will be given through to the council to figure out best way to deal with the firework issue, she added. “We will be looking at different possible solutions to the problem and especially the enforcement of the Explosives Act 26 and the different bylaws connected to the use of fireworks,” Chuene said.

She said one of the possible solutions will be to get a designated area like the Polokwane Show Grounds, but this will still be determined and the municipality will also look into the way several other municipalities handle the issue to help find a solution.

Both Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala and Westenburg police spokesperson, Capt Mohlaka Mashiane said they are not aware of any incidents in which people were injured by fireworks but they had received general complaints on the issue.