Almost two month after the national and provincial polls, elections posters still adorn streets and buildings in Alexandra and neighbouring areas.
The elections were held on 7 May.
In response to media inquiries on regulations for the removal of posters, a spokesperson for the Independent Electoral Commission said the removal of the posters was regulated by municipal bylaws and the commission was not involved in the matter. In response to the same inquiry, a spokesperson for the City of Joburg said they had consulted political parties on the matter and that city bylaws stipulated a seven day grace period from the election date for parties to remove them. A penalty of R1 000 would be levied for each poster thereafter.
Within thirty minutes of driving around Alexandra, Wynberg, Sandton and Hurlingham more than 50 posters were sighted still tied to electricity poles. A total of 10 Agang, 12 ANC and a National Freedom Party poster were sighted on Lenin Avenue in Eastbank. Several posters with some of them defaced were still pasted to the entry of the women’s hostel on 3rd Avenue, and an assortment were still posted on Arkwright Avenue, Wynberg. One large new-looking banner was tied to a wall along the busy William Nicol Drive in Hurlingham.
It is likely many posters haven’t been removed in other areas of the city despite the city council’s bylaws.
