The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has banned the sale and use of fireworks, saying the explosives can have negative consequences for both humans and animals.
Many people in Zimbabwe usually celebrate the New Year with fireworks but the practice is not universally acceptable as it disturbs the peace.
ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said that fireworks pose a serious fire hazard and can cause physical and psychological harm to people and pets.
He warned that police will arrest anyone who is found selling, buying or lighting fireworks and urged the public to refrain from this practice. The Chronicle quoted Asst Comm Nyathi as saying:
<blockquote>
Firecrackers cause confusion, anxiety and fear in 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.
Firecrackers can injure or even kill a person. In the past, there have been reports of people who have faced health and other dangers caused by firecrackers.
</blockquote>
Ass Comm Nyathi urged members of the public to cooperate with the police and other security agencies by reporting any suspicious activities or criminal acts.
The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has also supported the ban on fireworks, saying they cause trauma and harm to animals and urged the public to be responsible.
Police, however, may find it difficult to effect the ban countrywide as traders may have stocked firecrackers ahead of the festive season.
Moreover, the practice is considered by many to be an indispensable part of celebrating the New Year and, therefore, may require a mindset shift for the practice to be eradicated.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Zimbabwe Police Ban Firecrackers On New Year’s Eve

A stray <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2022/01/02/firecrackers-torch-house-in-new-year-celebrations/">firecracker landed on a thatched house, ignited and razed down a portion of a plush two-storey</a> property in Harare’s northern suburb of Greystone Park as people celebrated the crossover into the New Year. Watch the video below for more.
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<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="234" id="video-223014-1" preload="metadata" width="426"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WhatsApp-Video-2022-01-02-at-19.21.24.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WhatsApp-Video-2022-01-02-at-19.21.24.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WhatsApp-Video-2022-01-02-at-19.21.24.mp4</a></video></div>
The incident happened around midnight when people started blasting firecrackers in the normally peaceful and quiet neighbourhood.
The fire consumed much of the house’s thatched roof while household property worth thousands of dollars was destroyed, although no fatalities were recorded. When The Sunday Mail visited the house yesterday, it was all rubble and smoke at the property.
A resident at the property, Mr Breit Spark, said the incident happened at midnight when he was sleeping. He said he heard a loud bang of a firecracker exploding and moments later he found the house had caught fire. He added:
<blockquote>
I am very certain it was a firecracker that ignited the house.
We got assistance from neighbours who came quickly to assist with getting some of the furniture out.
Were it not for the kindness and assistance of neighbours and the dedicated hard work from the fire department, things could have been much worse.
</blockquote>
Harare City Council fire chief officer Mr Clever Mafoti confirmed the incident adding “our team responded swiftly to the incident and managed to save some section of the house.
In 2019, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said members of the public wishing to launch fireworks and firecrackers during the crossover are obliged to first notify neighbours and secure police clearance, noting that the fireworks pose a serious danger to humans and animals.
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

WATCH: Firecrackers Set A Harare House On Fire

A stray firecracker landed on a thatched house, ignited and razed down a portion of a plush two-storey property in Harare’s northern suburb of Greystone Park as people celebrated the crossover into the New Year.
The incident happened around midnight when people started blasting firecrackers in the normally peaceful and quiet neighbourhood.
The fire consumed much of the house’s thatched roof while household property worth thousands of dollars was destroyed, although no fatalities were recorded. When The Sunday Mail visited the house yesterday, it was all rubble and smoke at the property.
A resident at the property, Mr Breit Spark, said:
<blockquote>
It happened at midnight, I was sleeping when I heard a loud bang of a firecracker exploding and moments later I found the house had caught fire — I am very certain it was a firecracker that ignited the house.
We got assistance from neighbours who came quickly to assist with getting some of the furniture out.
Were it not for the kindness and assistance of neighbours and the dedicated hard work from the fire department, things could have been much worse.
</blockquote>
Harare City Council fire chief officer Mr Clever Mafoti confirmed the incident adding “our team responded swiftly to the incident and managed to save some section of the house.” He added:
<blockquote>
We could not establish the cause of the fire during that time because our primary objective in such incidents is to save life and property.
We will wait for our investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire.
</blockquote>
In 2019, the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Republic_Police" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)</a> said members of the public wishing to launch fireworks and firecrackers during the crossover are obliged to first notify neighbours and secure police clearance, noting that the fireworks pose a serious danger to humans and animals. 
More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/firecrackers-set-house-on-fire-in-new-year-celebrations">The Sunday Mail</a>

Firecrackers Torch House In New Year Celebrations

The mother of a Chitungwiza boy who got injured in freak firecracker accident last week has expressed gratitude to well-wishers who have been sending help to the family since the mishap.
Speaking after her visit to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Monday where the boy Godfrey Munhungaupi (13) is admitted, the mother, Rudo Munhungaupi, said she was able to communicate with his son, whose mouth was severely injured, through writing on paper. She said:
<blockquote>My phone is inundated with calls from local and foreign people who saw photographs of my child on social media.
Parirenyatwa medical doctors are attending to Godfrey very well and I am pleased with his quick response to treatment.
I want to thank teachers as well because had it not been for his literacy I would not be communicating with him.
… I would also like to thank Zimbabweans (local and abroad) who are helping us in cash and kind.</blockquote>
Godfrey sustained serious injuries in an explosion on Friday when he connected a firecracker to a solar panel and used his tongue to test current flow.
The explosion seriously deformed his face, with his mouth and the jaws tattered and some teeth falling off and his tongue split into two pieces.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/firecracker-victims-mother-speaks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">H-Metro</a></h4>

Firecracker Victim Responding To Treatment

Members of the public wishing to launch fireworks and firecrackers during the crossover into 2020 are obliged to first notify neighbours and secure police clearance, the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Republic_Police" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)</a> has said.
ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Paul_Nyathi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Paul Nyathi</a> told ZTN News that offenders risk being fined ZWL$600, six months’ imprisonment or both. He said:
<blockquote>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.
People are advised to buy (firecrackers) from registered retail outlets as they sell firecrackers that are not harmful to users.</blockquote>
Fireworks are hand-crafted devices made of chemicals and paper, which produce visual and audible effects for entertainment purposes; while a firecracker is a small explosive charge usually enclosed in a heavy paper casing
<h4>More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2019/12/zimbabwe-police-issue-new-year-fireworks-warning/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZTN News</a></h4>

ZRP Warns Merry-makers Against Launching Fireworks Without Police Clearance

A Bulawayo man was arrested for illegal use of firecrackers after his son was allegedly injured by firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.  Police in Bulawayo warned residents about the illegal use of firecrackers to celebrate the new year.
Bulawayo police provincial spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said
<blockquote>We are appealing to members of the public to desist from setting off firecrackers, on, during and after the New Year’s Eve. Firecrackers cause confusion, anxiety and fear into 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.</blockquote>
The use of firecrackers is prohibited and any person using them can be charged with Criminal Nuisance.
Before using firecrackers residents need to get permission from:
<ol>
<li>The Police</li>
<li>The City Council</li>
<li>The SPCA</li>
</ol>
More:<a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/man-arrested-after-firecracker-injures-son/"> Chronicle</a>

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