Kouga Municipality has appealed to residents to join law enforcement authorities in helping to keep Guy Fawkes crime-free and safe for everyone this year.
It is illegal to launch fireworks in the Kouga region and Kouga residents and visitors to the area are urged to report anyone breaking the law to the municipality or nearest police station.
Kouga Executive Mayor Booi Koerat said that Guy Fawkes traditionally celebrated on 5 November is increasingly associated with activities posing a danger to people and animals. The common practice is the launching of fireworks.
“We would like to call on residents to refrain from doing launching fireworks in Kouga as this is poses a fire hazard and traumatises pets to such an extent that they can injure themselves,” the mayor said.
An even more dangerous Guy Fawkes tradition is the swinging and burning of tyres.
“Tyres are made of toxic compounds. When you burn a tyre, poisonous gases are released into the air and inhaled by those in the vicinity. Babies, children, the elderly, asthmatics and immune-suppressed individuals are vulnerable to these pollutants. This includes people with TB or HIV/Aids,” the mayor said.
“Burning tyres are also a serious fire risk and cause significant damage to our roads and sidewalks.”
Residents are asked to help spread the message of a crime-free and safe Guy Fawkes for all. Those breaking the law by shooting fireworks or burning tyres can be reported to the municipality’s emergency number on 042 291 0250 or the nearest police station.
(edited by St Francis Chronicle)
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” Why are we celebrating Guy Fawkes anyway? This is not about our House of Parliament building that nearly was blown up by a political maniac, it was the British one – or do some people think because they are English speaking, this automatically makes them colonial British settlers are not South Africans.”
”Why are we still celebrating ”Guy Fawkes” at all one should ask. It was not our House of Parliament that was nearly blown sky-high, it was the British one! Or do some people think because they are descended from British Settlers back in 1820, this festival is still applicable to them, even though they have a long time ago crossed the ”3rd Generation” cut off period to qualify themselves as British, and are now South African? The Australians and New Zealanders who also are English of descent or speaking, having banned fireworks completely, bar the Queens birthday, which restricted to an area, with no public admittance.They don’t celebrate ”Guy Fawkes” either.