Fireworks are treated differently in different cities and towns across South Africa.
Gift Malapane of the Soweto Environmental Group, urged residents to avoid fireworks outside of dedicated times by the City of Joburg.
“Fireworks can pose serious dangers, causing burns and injuries, permanent hearing loss, respiratory issues (like asthma attacks) from toxic smoke, and triggering stress or heart problems in vulnerable people, while also creating significant air/noise pollution that harms pets, wildlife, and the environment” he said.
The City of Joburg’s bylaw allows for the use of fireworks from 23:00 on New Year’s Eve, until 1am the following day.
But enforcement will pose a challenge, with no significant monitoring on usage.
Not the case in small towns. Enforcement is tough on non-compliance.
In Saldanha Bay for example, the Municipality’s Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue Services, teamed up with the police (SAPS) to conduct special operations in recent weeks to identify and take action against the illegal selling of fireworks.
Officers fined offenders and confiscated illegal fireworks.
The Municipality has also set designated fire zones for fireworks for the period 31 December 2025 (00:00) – 1 January 2026 (00:30) only. They are at the beach area in front of Strand Street, at Tabakbaai Resort, in Paternoster in front of the fish market and in the vicinity of the Da Gama Monument, at St Helena.
Similarly, the Cederberg Law Enforcement Division conducted a special firework operation in Clanwilliam on Monday, and issued several fines and confiscated fireworks.
The Municipality said to its residents in an update “strict laws and municipal by-laws regulate the sale, possession, and use of fireworks. Using, possessing, or selling fireworks unlawfully can result in heavy fines, confiscation of goods, and criminal charges, including arson if fires are caused.”
The EThekwini Municipality has also centralised the display of fireworks on New Year’s Eve, even though enforcement outside the main event, is unclear.
Dubbed the “Endless Waves of Tranquillity”, the display on New Year’s Eve, will be located at the North Beach and Bay of Plenty Piers.
It is organised by Durban Tourism, from 23:00 into midnight.