NELSPRUIT – It seems as if the ANC is above the law and doesn’t have to adhere to the country’s by-laws. The launch of the ANC manifesto in January, raised numerous questions and evoked mixed emotions from various organisations and members of the community as some rules and regulations were not followed during the event and the planning phase.
On a national level the use of the Tswane Metropolitan Traffic Department raised serious concern. Back on home soil the ANC’s yellow, black and green banners and flags still graced the entrance to the city on the N4.
Municipal by-laws are designed to regulate outdoor advertising on, or visible from public roads within the municipal area, whether or not it is erected on private property.
These by-laws clearly state that no banner shall be displayed for more than two weeks before the date of the function or event advertised, nor shall any such advertise-ment be permitted to remain in position for more than one day after the conclusion of such function or event.
However, Mbombela Local Municipality may remove any flags or banners that do not meet these requirements, but has as yet failed to do so. When they were asked for comment, they simply gave none. It is also not only the flags that raise questions, but that the current structures used for them are rusty and broken. This poses a serious safety risk for motorists and requires urgent attention.
While registration is a thing of the past, political parties are starting to erect massive billboards to encourage the public to vote for them. Here the by-laws state that a parliamentary, provincial or municipal election or referendum poster, may not be erected before the date on which the notice or proclamation in the Government Gazette or provincial gazette announcing the election or referendum, is published, and must be removed no later than seven days after that date.
Here again, not only the ANC, but other parties like COPE and UDM have failed to comply with these regulations.
The new trend of using moving trailers that hold massive advertising boards, is also against the law.
These vehicles are not allowed to be parked on islands or kerbs and most definitely not on main roads.
If any sign or advertising board is displayed so that, in the opinion of the municipality, it is detrimental to the environment or to the amenities of the neighbourhood, or is otherwise in contravention of these by-laws, the municipality may serve a notice on or may instruct the owners of the sign or advertising hoarding, to remove it.
If the owner does not remove it within a certain period, the municipality may remove it.
This again raises the question, why do the same rules not apply to everyone and what is going to be done about it?
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