The City of Johannesburg’s Development Planning Department has launched a crackdown on illegal advertising boards and signs erected throughout the city. In an extensive campaign, the City is dismantling and removing all signage found to violate municipal by-laws. The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Development Planning, Cllr Eunice Mgcina, accompanied by department officials, oversaw the removal of an illegally erected billboard along the N1 Highway in Halfway Gardens, Midrand, on Thursday 28 March 2024. The removed billboard, advertising a popular liquor brand and featuring artwork titled “AmaXhosa”, was erected without approval from the local authority. It was also positioned on the road servitude of the National Road (N1), which is a violation of the South African National Road Agency Limited Act.
Media owners are urged to verify the status of their advertising signs with the Development Planning Department’s Outdoor Advertising Unit to ensure compliance with City by-laws.
MMC Mgcina expressed frustration at the persistence of illegal advertisers despite the City’s efforts to engage them. She emphasised the financial losses incurred by the City due to illegal advertising and affirmed the City’s commitment to enforcing by-laws and recovering lawful revenue owed to the municipality.
“We will not hesitate to remove any illegal advertising sign regardless of size or stature,” said MMC Mgcina.
She reminded media owners of previous efforts by the City to address illegal signage and reiterated the City’s zero-tolerance stance towards lawlessness in this regard.
The City is collaborating with stakeholders, including the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and the courts to restore order and ensure the realisation of revenue owed to the municipality.
Brand owners, advertisers, and advertising agencies are urged to verify the legality of advertising signs before signing contracts.
“Our message to all advertising entities in the City is clear: comply or face consequences,” warned MMC Mgcina.
Written by Lulama Luti
02/04/2024
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