Rule of law to be applied in dealing with illegal advertising

Over the years, illegal advertising has been an issue throughout various suburbs in the city and this year has seen a rather notable increase in the problem.

According to a statement released earlier in the year by the City of Johannesburg, the increase may have been due to an approved 36-month transitional period.

The statement which was drafted by the MMC for Economic Development Leah Knott and MMC for Development Planning Reuben Masango stated that they were working together with ward councillors, the outdoor advertising industry and other stakeholders to curb the scourge.

“The transitional period must be understood to be a principle that regulates the period that starts before an amendment or enactment of a law comes into force, and ends after the amendment or enactment of the law has come into force. At this stage, the new bylaws have not come into force hence this declaration. This was done in an effort to ensure that the sector is not disadvantaged while the new bylaws are suspended due to litigation,” read the statement.

In light of this resolution, the City issued a public notice inviting all owners of any advertising sign on any land to declare it to the City by not later than 30 September this year, irrespective of its legality. The notice applies to all existing advertising signs that were erected and have been in existence prior to the declaration of the transitional period by the City.

Ward 117 councillor Tim Truluck said many unscrupulous advertisers were then taking advantage of the transitional period to put up new adverts so as to pretend they already existed before the cut-off date.

Truluck, working with various committees in the ward, had notable successes in having some illegal adverts removed including the massive illegal billboard at Zoo Lake.

Ward 90 councillor Martin Williams said illegal outdoor advertising was alarming in his ward.

The City said it was committed to the rule of law and would enforce it without fear or favour.

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https://rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za/262746/wards-cluttered-by-illegal-adverts/