The City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) will roll out intensified emergency and fire safety enforcement operations in the inner city on 30 and 31 December 2025 as part of a broader public safety drive during the festive season.
The operations form part of the city’s public safety bylaw enforcement initiative and will focus on reducing fire risks, strengthening emergency preparedness and ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations.
A key area of focus will be the handling, storage, sale and use of fireworks, which pose heightened risks in densely populated urban areas. Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Kagiso Phasha said officials will conduct inspections at buildings, businesses and trading areas across the inner city.
Phasha said the inspections will target common fire hazards, including blocked or inaccessible emergency exits, illegal electrical connections, unsafe storage of flammable materials and non-compliance with fireworks regulations.
He warned that any unauthorised sale or unsafe use of fireworks would be dealt with in accordance with municipal bylaws. Where an immediate danger to life or property is identified, EMS has the authority to order evacuations, stop hazardous activities, issue compliance instructions or take enforcement action to prevent fires, explosions or other emergencies.
The enforcement operation will be carried out in close coordination with several city departments and stakeholders, including the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Environmental Health, the development planning unit and Central Region Urban Management.
Emergency services have urged business owners, residents and members of the public to cooperate fully with officials and comply with all fire safety and fireworks regulations.
The city said the measures are critical to preventing injuries, fires and loss of life, particularly during the festive season when the inner city experiences increased activity and congestion. It added that the operations are also aimed at promoting a culture of safety and responsibility to protect lives, property and infrastructure in one of Johannesburg’s most densely populated areas.
