Ekurhuleni adopts zero tolerance for illegal outdoor advertising

The MMC of Infrastructure Services and Real Estate Kgopelo Hollo introduced Operation Thuntšha Lerole to address illegal outdoor advertising in Ekurhuleni.

“We are adopting a zero tolerance to unlawfulness.

“Interested and affected parties in the outdoor advertising industry are advised that illegal action in relation to outdoor advertising will not be tolerated,” said Hollo.

He said these actions support media owners who have illegally erected and owned advertising mediums.

ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni disputes its R1.5-billion debt to Eskom

“Some of these advertising structures have been erected on privately owned properties and publicly owned properties.”

To this end, revenue that is supposed to accrue through outdoor advertising applications or outdoor advertising rentals to the city is withheld.

“The City of Ekurhuleni has taken a stance that legal practice and trade within the outdoor advertising space and regulations must become second nature.

Therefore, property owners and advertisers where these advertising signs are erected unlawfully are called upon to put a stop to this,” Hollo said.

ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni almost bankrupt says ANC

He said only lawful advertising structures will be allowed to continue to trade and unlawful ones will be rooted out.

Advertisers are urged to verify the legality of the billboards, where their brands and products will be displayed.

Property owners and advertisers who willingly place their ads on any identified illegal advertising structure will be held liable by CoE.

Hollo urged business owners to ensure that before they sign advertising agreements with media owners, they confirm that such a media owner has a lease agreement with the CoE.

“There are cellphone companies, car manufacturers, food manufacturers, retail giants and more who are advertising on illegal billboards and we want this to stop immediately.

ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni call centre down due to technical glitch

“All these merchants are warned not to advertise on a billboard that does not have a lease agreement with CoE,” said Hollo.

CoE will grant a once-off opportunity to all illegal advertisers in the city to apply for regularisation.

“With the process of regularisation, billboard owners who do not have lease agreements must approach the City Planning Department and submit applications for regularisation,” said Hollo.

Each application will be assessed and if their billboards comply with the bylaws, Real Estate will then issue lease agreements and the billboard will then be regularised.

“We then start collecting revenue. Those that cannot be regularised will have their billboards removed,” said Hollo.