Discharging fireworks may lead to arrest, appearance in court and steep fines.
Municipal manager Lauren Waring said on Wednesday, October 29, that the Knysna Municipality and the Knysna SAPS will show zero tolerance to anyone who discharges fireworks, because it is against the law. Extra patrols will be executed to enforce this law from Tuesday, November 4 to Thursday, November 6.
According to Waring, in terms of the Community Fire Safety bylaw s38(3), “No one may discharge fireworks in public open areas such as parks and beaches.” In addition, the Public Nuisance bylaw prohibites the “discharge of any fireworks, fire-arms, air guns or air pistols on any premises or in any street or public place”.
Waring said furthermore that residents may call the Municipal Law Enforcement Department or the police if their neighbours do not abide by the law. “The fine is R500 in terms of the Community Fire Safety bylaw and R1 000 in terms of the Public Nuisance bylaw. The fine issued in terms of the Community Fire Safety bylaw is payable upon the issue by the municipality and the fine issued in terms of the Public Nuisance bylaw is payable upon conviction by a court.”
The operational plan for Guy Fawkes is as follows:
Knysna Town
- Knysna SAPS will have a detachment of police on patrol stationed in town as from November 4 to November 6, from 15:00 until 00:00.
- Provincial Traffic will monitor the N2 at Nekkies as from November 4 to 6.
- Law enforcement officials are currently removing tyres in all areas and will continue to do so until after Guy Fawkes Day.
- Six law enforcement officials will be on duty in Hornlee on November 4 and 5.
- A fire engine will be stationed at St James Church in Hornlee.
- A substation will monitor the area.
- Two law enforcement officers will be on duty as from November 4 to 6.
- One fire trailer and three volunteers will be on duty.
- SAPS will be on duty between November 4 and 6.
- One fire engine will be on standby at the entrance to Smutsville.
- Four traffic officers will be on duty to assist law enforcement officials.
- The officer in charge of law enforcement is Mvuleni Mposelwa and can be contacted at 083 665 3824 and the officer in charge of SAPS is Captain Dewald Kitching who can be contacted at 044 302 6685.
