Political parties have been given until March 16 to remove their respective local government election campaign posters and billboards or face being fined.
The City of Johannesburg, in a gazetted notice, granted all registered political parties an exemption in terms of the City’s Outdoor Advertising By-Law, 2009.
Initially, it was required that election campaign outdoor advertising was to be removed within five days of the conclusion of the elections, held on November 1 last year.
The deadline was further extended to November 30 through a letter addressed to the Independent Electoral Commission by the acting city manager, Floyd Brink.
It is, however, concerning that three months after the prior deadlines, election posters and related advertising material belonging to political parties remain flighted on City infrastructure.
MMC for Development Planning Belinda Echeozonjoku highlighted the failure of political parties to see to the removal of their election campaign advertising from the City’s infrastructure. This amounts to a contravention of Section 28(1)(e) of the by-law.
“The City has given political parties sufficient time to adhere to its requirement and will be forced to remove all posters and related material. All costs will be for the account of the political party concerned.
“I took the responsibility of removing my election campaign posters. I challenge other candidates to do the same as part of their civic duty to keep our City’s infrastructure clear of clutter,” said Echeozonjoku.
Political parties who fail to meet the March 16 deadline will be fined R94 per poster or material removed.
Echeozonjoku will work closely with her counterpart for Public Safety, David Tembe, and the Joburg Metro Police Department, to assist the Outdoor Advertising unit to enforce the by-law and ensure the removal of the election posters and related advertising within the jurisdiction of the City.
Samuel Maluleka, assistant director of Outdoor Advertising, may be contacted for further clarity on SamuelMalu@joburg.org.za, 083 702 7261 or 011 407 6709.
