http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3359311.stm

New Year's flying fridges warning

South African police will crack down hard on anybody throwing old fridges from
high-rise buildings

during the New Year's holiday, they say.

Police and soldiers are on patrol in Johannesburg's notorious Hillbrow suburb,
famous for the practice.

Throwing heavy objects from balconies and firing guns have become something of
a bad "New Year's

institution," said police Inspector Kriben Naidoo.

It is not clear why Hillbrow residents have taken to seeing in the New Year by
throwing objects such

as fridges, microwave ovens, beds, rubbish bins and condoms out of their
windows.

Some also aim their New Year fireworks horizontally, so they go from one
high-rise apartment into

another.

Police wear helmets and bullet-proof vests when on duty on New Year's Eve,
reports AFP news agency.