A YOUNG girl’s hand was badly lacerated in this year’s firework celebration. In addition, a small dog was killed and other animals were left traumatised by the loud, ear-piecing bangs.
Fuming residents are now calling for a ban on fireworks, describing this year’s new year celebrations as living in a ‘war zone’ – which went on for days.
Chanté Smuts (15) on holiday from Brakpan, was celebrating New Year’s Eve with her family on Margate beach when a rocket exploded, injuring her and three of her relatives just after midnight. Chanté’s right hand was badly injured, with the possibility of permanent damage. The rocket also hit her aunt and uncle on the back of their legs, and her cousin in the ribs. Her aunt’s injury had to receive medical treatment.
Her grandmother, Sandra Smuts, told the Herald on Tuesday this week that her daughter was in theatre in Potchefstroom, and that she would eventually have to undergo reconstructive surgery on her hand.
She said that the person who let off the rocket just laughed, turned around and ran off. “He thought it was a joke. We would like him to apologise for his actions,” she added.
Meanwhile 43 dogs were admitted to the Lower South Coast SPCA kennels.
Michael Muller, SPCA manager, said that a similar number of animals were reunited with their owners during the evening through local networks and social media pages.
“The disregard for by-laws and lack of any morals towards animal life saw the use of fireworks create havoc among our beloved companion animals, and we won’t even know what it has done to our wildlife,” said Mr Muller.
Other animals were not so fortunate. Mr Muller said two cases stand out, the first being a frantic call from a woman in Ramsgate regarding her miniature dachshund which was missing. “After a lengthy search the limp brown body of this beloved pet was found. It had died from injuries sustained when it was hit by a car,“ he said.
The second case involved a Staffie cross which managed to get tangled in razor wire and sustained some serious cuts. Mr Muller said they were fortunate that Dr Dave Watson from Port Edward assisted the SPCA Inspector Julia Watson in the middle of the night to get the dog, now named ‘Schick’ stitched up.
One of the biggest concerns is that of the 43 dogs admitted only six have been claimed. Mr Muller urged pet owners to please check with the SPCA if their animals are missing.
According to the by-laws, fireworks can only be used from 4pm until 12.30am on Chinese New Year, Diwali and on December 31 .
The Herald fielded a number of calls from irate residents in Marburg and Manaba who said the explosions started two days prior to New Year’s Eve. “It was terrible. They must ban fireworks and give everyone sparklers,” said a concerned Marburg resident.
Arrie van den Heever of Margate Extension 3 said crackers had been ignited since Christmas Day and had continued for days after New Year. He added his dogs have been extremely traumatised and his visiting daughter couldn’t sleep thanks to the ongoing bangs. Mr van den Heever went on to say many calls to law enforcement and to the police were ignored, and not a single officer attended to his complaints. He called for fireworks to be banned.
Simon April, spokesman for Hibiscus Coast Municipality (HCM), said the control room received about 30 complaints with regards to fireworks between December 15 and January 3. He added that both HCM’s law enforcement and fire services officers attended to complaints.
“In most cases it was difficult to get hold of any offenders as there was no indication of the use of fireworks on the premises and the culprits had left before law enforcement officers arrived,” he said.
In addition to these reactive operations, Mr April said that there were also some proactive operations conducted.
“Three roadblocks were set up at which vehicles were searched for ‘loud bang’ fireworks. Retailers were also inspected for legal compliance during December and fireworks were confiscated near a shop in Hibberdene,” he pointed out.
He added that the fire rescue section conducted an awareness campaign on fireworks at a shopping mall in December and pamphlets regarding the use of fireworks were distributed during the ‘Welcoming Roadblock’.
