Fireworks this Guy Fawkes? The rules and fines in your city

Guy Fawkes falls on Thursday, 5 November, and Diwali follows on Sunday, 8 November (Smile 90.4FM). Whether you may set off fireworks at home that night depends on where you live. In Johannesburg it's allowed for three hours. In Cape Town there is nowhere you can legally do it without a permit.

The warning is sharper this year after an eight-year-old boy from Manenberg died on Sunday, 1 November, following a firecracker incident (Athlone News).

What are the rules in your city?

Sources: JMPD via Fourways Review, City of Tshwane via Rekord, eThekwini via The Post, eThekwini via IOL, City of Cape Town, Athlone News.

What does Johannesburg allow?

JMPD says fireworks may be used on a list of set days, Guy Fawkes included, between 19:00 and 22:00 (Fourways Review). They may not be lit in public places such as schools, hospitals and old age homes, or within 500m of a petrol station or explosives factory.

Lighting them outside those hours carries a R500 fine, and doing it where animals are present carries a R1,000 fine. Anyone under 16 needs adult supervision, and bigger displays need council approval at least 14 days ahead (Fourways Review).

Can you set off fireworks in Pretoria?

Tshwane Emergency Services says a private fireworks display needs its approval first (Rekord). The site must be at least 100m from buildings, roads and railway lines, and 20m from power lines and trees. You'll need a sketch plan of the site and a fire safety inspection.

Approval is given for sports fields, agricultural holdings and other suitable open areas, which rules out most suburban gardens (Rekord).

What are Durban's rules?

eThekwini lists Guy Fawkes as one of the approved days for consumer fireworks at a private residence (The Post). For Diwali the city allows them from sunset to midnight, and it quoted a fine of R2,500 for breaking the rules last year (IOL). The city's statements didn't give set hours for Guy Fawkes.

Under the city's Fire By-law you may not let a child under 16 use fireworks without an adult, light them where animals are kept, or point one at a person, animal, building or car (eThekwini Fire By-law, 2022). Fireworks are not allowed on public roads.

Report illegal sales or use to Durban Metro Police on 031 361 0000 or SAPS on 10111 (The Post).

And Cape Town?

The City of Cape Town says there are no designated fireworks sites for Guy Fawkes, Diwali or New Year's Eve, and no display can happen without a permit (City of Cape Town). Setting off fireworks without permission carries a R1,500 fine (Athlone News). We covered the full list of Cape Town fireworks fines separately.

Report illegal fireworks to the City on 021 480 7700 or through the City App (City of Cape Town).

How do you spot illegal fireworks?

SAPS says to buy only from licensed shops, which show a "DEALER IN FIREWORKS" sign in red letters (SAPS). Illegal types include "Indian Kings", "Classic Foils", "Square Bombs" and "Cherry Bombs". Report anyone selling them to the police.

How can you keep pets calm?

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA advises keeping pets indoors with up-to-date ID tags, closing the blinds and playing the TV or radio to mask the noise (EWN). Feed them early, before the bangs start.