Fireworks Use – eThekwini Bylaws

Here’s the short, practical version of eThekwini’s fireworks rules (what Metro Police and the City repeatedly publish each year):

New Year’s Eve: 23:45–00:15 only.
Diwali: 19:00–22:00 on Diwali day.
Guy Fawkes (5 Nov): Typically a short evening window (often 19:00–22:00; City messaging varies year-to-year—check the City’s press statements each season).

No public places/roads without permission of the owner/occupier; keep it on your own property.
Keep away from sensitive sites (hospitals/clinics, old-age homes, animal facilities) and do not use within proximity of petrol stations/explosives sites.
No high-noise “big bangs” (air bombs, sound shells, etc.); only consumer/low-hazard items (fountains, lawn lights, sparklers) at home.
Under-16s must be supervised by an adult.
Public displays need a permit (apply to the Fire Department; submissions ≥14 days before the event).

Metro Police routinely warn of fines up to R2 500 for misuse (e.g., outside the allowed times), and prior notices have listed R1 000 (on a road) + R2 500 (in public) = up to R3 500.

eThekwini press statements (seasonal reminders with the exact times and do/don’ts).
Nuisances & Behaviour in Public Places By-law (general “no dangerous acts / no fireworks except in terms of relevant laws”).
Fire Safety By-law, 2022 (permits, dealers, storage, public displays).

Durban Metro Police: 031 361 0000 (illegal sale/use, or misuse outside the allowed time windows).
Emergencies: SAPS 10111.
Keep a short video/photo (from a safe distance) and note the address/time when reporting.

Applicable Laws to Firework Use

Explosives Act, 2003 (Act 15 of 2003) — the current statute controlling “explosives”, which include fireworks (manufacture, dealing, import/export, keeping, storage, transport and enforcement). SAPS (Explosives Unit) is the enforcement authority.
Explosives Act, 1956 (Act 26 of 1956), s 30 — SAPS still cites this section in public guidance on the use of fireworks (e.g., restrictions on where/when and supervision of minors).

eThekwini Fire (Fire Safety) By-law, 2022 — this is the City’s dedicated by-law for fire safety and fireworks. It expressly regulates the use, storage, sale, designation of places/conditions, discharge and seizure of fireworks, and provides enforcement/penalties. (See Chapter 4: “Dealing with fireworks”, “Prohibitions”, “Requirements for handling and storage”, “Sale”, “Designation of places and conditions”, “Discharge”, “Seizure”.)
Nuisances and Behaviour in Public Places By-law, 2015 — cross-refers that fireworks may only be discharged in accordance with municipal by-law (i.e., not in public places unless permitted).
Each festive season the City issues official notices repeating the key limits (e.g., no fireworks on public roads/public places; under-16s only under adult supervision; and tightly limited time windows on specific days). These notices reflect and operationalise the by-laws.