Connect with us

Local News

Police Clearance Required To Light Up Fireworks

Published

on

Police Clearance Required To Light Up Fireworks

Those lighting fireworks on New Year’s Eve require advance police or local authority permission and need to tell their neighbours, or they face arrest and prosecution for making a public nuisance.

They can be made to pay a level 5 fine or be jailed for six months, police have reminded would-be noisy merrymakers.

According to the law, the person must seek permission from their local authority if they wish to let off fireworks in an urban area.

If they fail to get this, they can be charged for creating a public nuisance under Section 46 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.

Advertisement

The Third Schedule of that Act lists the public nuisances, and number 2(C) is: “Without the permission of the appropriate authority, makes a fire or lets off fireworks manufactured for the purpose of amusement, in a public place.”

Fireworks have become popular in Zimbabwe at New Year’s Eve in recent decades, although in colonial time the British November 5 was more common, and the police are worried that many people, especially children who seem to be given these with negligible supervision, do not know how to use them safely.

Firecrackers have fuses and are wrapped in heavy paper casing that contains the explosive compound.

While firecrackers are popular, those lighting them need to know what they are doing, and be sober, and there must be close adult supervision when children use them.

Advertisement

In an interview yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said anyone found on the wrong side of the law risks being arrested and prosecuted.

“The law is very clear. Anyone who wants to use fireworks must notify the police in advance and get the necessary clearance. They should also notify their neighbours well in advance. These are dangerous and may lead to serious harm. In recent years, we have dealt with cases in which minors have been seriously injured; and we are trying to avoid this,” he said.

In general, police are not trying to kill New Year parties and celebrations, but they want everyone to have fun peacefully and avoid engaging in violent and disorderly activities.

Asst Comm Nyathi said police will be on high alert to thwart illegal activities.

Besides the danger to people and property, firecrackers cause confusion, anxiety and fear in the lives of animals, causing many to run away from their homes into the streets, which is dangerous to members of the public as they can get injured due to bites and accidents.

It has been proven that the noise and unpredictability of fireworks leads many dogs to perceive them as a threat.

Advertisement

Read Also: Winky D Launches Album

This triggers their fight-or-flight response.

Fire crackers lead to dogs showing signs of anxiety, restlessness, panting, pacing and whining.

In the past, there have been reports of people who have faced health and other dangers caused by firecrackers. Thus, this measure is for the people’s best interests.

Advertisement

Reports have shown that some children have even lost their eyes as they were using these fire crackers.

In December 2012, a 13-year-old Masvingo boy died after being seriously injured in a suspected firecracker accident.

The teenager died after sustaining injuries on his face.

Another child, Nyashadzashe Mungwage (10) from Gweru was on December 24, 2011 reportedly injured on the eye by firecrackers in another incident, which highlights the dangers of fireworks.

Advertisement

On New Year’s Eve in 2011 again, a Harare toddler, Tanaka Masanga, met a similar fate when he lost his left eye after a firecracker lit by his peers exploded in his face.

A Harare resident Mr Tanyaradzwa Risinahama said he was not aware that it was an offence to use firecrackers without police clearance.

“All along we have been buying our children these firecrackers but never knew that it was an offence,” he said.

Another resident, Ms Sucess Simanga hailed the move by the police to ensure that people must follow the law when using firecrackers.

Advertisement

Mr Eddie Nechibvute of Ruwa said he has also been concerned about children using firecrackers especially during the night.

“Most of these children and even adults have not been cautious about using them. Some of them can even throw them inside people’s yards and homes .

. So I think the police should make sure that they are not used at all as they are a danger to other people and even those using them,” he said.

A Chitungwiza woman who preferred anonymity said although she had witnessed a neighbour’s child losing his eye some few years back, she had continued buying her children firecrackers as they enjoyed using them during this period.-Herald

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Check out Entertainment

Umbayimbayi by Inkabi Zezwe dominates chats three days after release Umbayimbayi by Inkabi Zezwe dominates chats three days after release
Celebrities3 hours ago

Umbayimbayi by Inkabi Zezwe dominates chats

Inkabi Zezwe released their much-anticipated single ‘Umbayimbayi’ on Friday 24 March and as expected, the track topped streaming charts including...

Police letting Down Families Of Murdered Celebrities Police letting Down Families Of Murdered Celebrities
Celebrities5 hours ago

Another Breakthough In AKA Murder Suspects

Police in South Africa have made another major breakthrough in the case involving the murder of the county’s Hip hop...

SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean actor, Jerome Galiao, has been arrested for allegedly bashing his wife, Nerissa. SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean actor, Jerome Galiao, has been arrested for allegedly bashing his wife, Nerissa.
Celebrities5 hours ago

Zimbabwean Scandal! Actor Arrested In SA For Bashing Wife

SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean actor, Jerome Galiao, has been arrested for allegedly bashing his wife, Nerissa. Jerome, 38, who is known...

Connie Ferguson and Rapulana Seiphemo Connie Ferguson and Rapulana Seiphemo
Celebrities19 hours ago

Connie Ferguson and Rapulana Seiphemo return to “Generations”

Connie Ferguson and Rapulana Seiphemo return to Generations. Phil Mphela who is known to deliver updates about the entertainment industry...

Mudiwa apologizes to Pokello after claiming she is dating a Ben 10 Mudiwa apologizes to Pokello after claiming she is dating a Ben 10
Celebrities1 day ago

Mudiwa apologizes to Pokello after claiming she is dating a Ben 10

Blogger Rose Mudiwa has issued an apology to socialite and businesswoman Pokello Nare following a ‘malicious’ story she posted last...

Nadia Nakai Returns To Work After Weeks Mourning AKA Nadia Nakai Returns To Work After Weeks Mourning AKA
Celebrities3 days ago

Nadia Nakai Returns To Work After Weeks Mourning AKA

South African rapper Nadia Nakai is playing her first gig since the death of her boyfriend, rapper AKA, she revealed...

Zodwa Wabantu Goes Nαked In Viral Video Zodwa Wabantu Goes Nαked In Viral Video
Celebrities4 days ago

Zodwa Wabantu Goes Nαked In Viral Video

South African media personality, socialite, and dancer, Zodwa Wabantu reacts after being dragged for showing off her pαntless derriere in...

Boity Hints At Long-Awaited 'Own You Throne' Season 2 Boity Hints At Long-Awaited 'Own You Throne' Season 2
Celebrities5 days ago

Boity Hints At Long-Awaited ‘Own You Throne’ Season 2

The multitalented rapper Boity has gone to her social media to hint at a second season of her reality show....

How money and fame changed these South African celebs' looks How money and fame changed these South African celebs' looks
Celebrities5 days ago

How money and fame changed these South African celebs’ looks

In the wake of their thrust into the limelight, many South African celebs have invested money into beauty. Well, many...

Celebrities5 days ago

Holy Ten Haunted By Unholy Past

THE past is haunting newly-married rapper Holy Ten and his wife Kimberly Richards. Several pictures of Kimberly, with different men,...

Advertisement

Trending