Sign petition to ban fireworks

With Guy Fawkes around the corner, residents in Weltevreden Park decided to take up the fight against fireworks by drawing up a petition to ban fireworks from being used over this period and the coming festive season.

Panorama Resident’s Association chairperson Jon Rosenberg explained that the purpose of the petition is to let people think about the consequences of using fireworks.

The two residents who drew up the petition – Taryn Coghlan and Sharon Pettigrew – already have 4 000 signatures but they still need more.

“We urge the public to sign up for the petition at the pet shop located inside the Palm Court Shopping Cente or at the veterinary in Weltevreden Park,”Rosenberg said.

She added that the petition can only be successful when people stop buying fireworks. “You notice there is a big problem when you see what it does to animals. The first issue that we need to look at and address is the distribution of fireworks.”

According to Pettigrew, the Explosives Act No 26 of 1956 states that the sale of any fireworks should be reported to the police. She said, “Any seller of fireworks should be in possession of a current licence that was issued by the Chief Inspector of the Department of Explosives.” She added that the licence is also called a permit and the shop owners don’t have the permission to move their fireworks to a market or roadside and then claim that they have a permit to sell the fireworks.

Coghlan said, “The premises where the fireworks are sold will be on display on the permit and the seller isn’t allowed to sell the fireworks anywhere else.” And in terms of the Act, ‘Fireworks may not be displayed in a window or any other place where fireworks can be interfered with by the public. This means that fireworks in a licensed shop must be either under the counter or locked in a cabinet. It is an offence to display or place fireworks where a shopper can pick them up or handle them in any way including being able to put them into a shopping basket or trolley.’

Coghlan concluded and said, “We all need to take hands and ban fireworks in our suburbs by signing the petition and by informing the police of any illegal fireworks distributors.”

Details: Taryn Coghlan 082 336 2190.