See political posters still up? They could be fined R500 each
Outdoor advertising laws are suspended for political parties during elections, but only for 14 days after the polls have concluded.
Election day feels like a lifetime ago when one considers what has transpired since then, but campaign material and posters of political parties remind us it was just over a fortnight ago.
Political parties are exempt from paying municipal outdoor advertising fees when an election is underway – a grace period that is only for 14 days after the conclusion of the election.
Read more: Illegal advertising – an eyesore or something more sinister?
City of Johannesburg spokesperson [Name?] said that all political parties and independent candidates registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa are exempted from complying with the provisions of Section 3 of the City of Johannesburg Outdoor Advertising By-Law (2009). This compels them to submit the necessary applications and not be required to pay prescribed fees in terms of these by-laws to display campaign posters.
Despite this, driving around the city on June 12, the final day for the posters to be removed, it seemed many had not adhered to this.
Also read: Remove election posters or be fined
James says the council shall contact parties who did not adhere to this. “The council shall notify the relevant party to remove the posters within a period specified.”
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said, “If the party still fails to remove their posters, the council may remove them themselves against a fee of R500 per poster payable by the relevant party.”
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