The City of Johannesburg has toughened its Outdoor Advertising and Billboards bylaws to classify illegal outdoor advertising as a serious crime, in the same category as building hijackings.
According to a statement on their website, Jack Sekgobela, manager of outdoor advertising in the City of Joburg’s Planning Department, said the City is losing millions of rands every year to illegal outdoor advertising.
“The City is now getting tough on several offending companies – including top international brands – in a new drive to avert loss of revenue and possibly recoup some of the lost revenue as well as ensure compliance,” he said.
Ward 87 councillor Amanda Forsythe said illegal roadside advertising is a problem.
“Unfortunately, it is not just informal carpenters, bricklayers and painters who put up illegal posters, but also clubs, businesses and event or exhibition organisers,” said Forsythe.
Through the revised bylaws, the City can now go the civil route and institute civil claims against offenders.
According to Sekgobela, the City has started laying criminal charges against the landlord [of the premises on which the billboard is erected], the advertising agency, the company being advertised, and its directors and shareholders.
The City provides timelines for adverts to be on the road.
“In order to advertise anywhere outdoors, you are supposed to apply for permission from the City. Only posters with City stickers on them, proving the permission has been obtained, are allowed. All others are illegal and should be torn down,” she said.
Johannesburg Metro Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar previously said these illegal signs and posters seem to appear more in the West Rand than any other area in Johannesburg.
“If we catch anybody that’s involved with erecting any illegal signs they will be arrested on the spot. We urge residents to contact the Metro Police bylaw call centre if they see any illegal signs being erected.”
The City continuously issues Notices of Contravention, giving the offenders seven to 14 days to remove an illegal sign.
However, according to Forsythe, JMPD is supposed to police this but they rarely do.
“I regularly pull down illegal posters in my ward – not only because they are unsightly and make street corners look messy and uncared for, but they can also become traffic hazards, blocking visibility for motorists,” she said.
