Band club remains in limbo after fireworks find

A member of the Peace Band Club in Naxxar is questioning why the premises remain shut six months after fireworks were discovered in the basement.

The club in the heart of Naxxar has been sealed since the find on May 3. The Home Affairs Ministry said this was carried out by court order and could only be revoked through an application before the court.

The discovery of fireworks had caused controversy since the club is located metres away from a petrol station, and close to Triq Hal-Dejf, the scene of the March 12 fireworks disaster which claimed two lives.

The entire band committee - 11 men and one woman - were charged in court over the find on May 5. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The explosives were hidden behind a wardrobe through an opening in the wall.

In a letter to The Sunday Times today (letters section), club member Victor Gauci describes the closure of the club as drastic and a harsh condemnation.

"Why wasn't the basement simply barred, and the club allowed to go on as usual... If the committee should be found guilty in this case, there's little to be done, but the club shouldn't stay closed all this time."

Apart from serving as a second home to its members, Mr Gauci says that the barman, who has a family, has been prevented from doing his job.

The club also used to serve as a base for music lessons.

"I hope the Courts of Justice are not practising the 'Justice delayed, justice denied' method," he says.

However, the Peace Band Club might consider itself fortunate that the fireworks were discovered before amendments to the Explosives Ordinance were tabled. One of these amendments provides for the confiscation of property where explosive material is found to be stored illegally.

Amid a public outcry to come down hard on fireworks infringements, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici had pushed through Parliament a number of changes to the Explosives Ordinance, raising fines and penalties for such offences.