There’s some good news for animal lovers after the city of Cape Town decided to forego designated sites for fireworks this year.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith says the discharging of fireworks is not allowed in terms of the Community Fire Safety By-law, but the City has, for a number of years, made an exception to accommodate this practice for Guy Fawkes, Diwali and New Year’s Eve. Smith says one of the reasons fireworks won’t be allowed, is the growing public sentiment opposing the use of fireworks.

Given that there will be no designated sites this year, the City appeals to residents to please refrain from setting off fireworks, as they can face a fine.

Members of the public with information relating to the illegal sale or use of fireworks should report this to the City’s Public Emergency Call Centre on 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or to the South African Police Service on 10111.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has meanwhile commended the City for its stance against fireworks in order to mitigate the suffering of animals – a stance which in their opinion is long overdue.

“To this end, the SPCA is calling upon all law enforcement agencies to ensure that adequate measures are put in place in order to apprehend those that are adamant and still going to be discharging fireworks even though it has been banned. We are calling upon the City to ensure for strong prosecutions and sentencing that will serve as a deterrent for animal torturers in those cases. Historically, animals have suffered long at the expense of humans with fireworks in South Africa and we hope that the rest of the country will follow suite with this bold move by the CoCT.”