Councillor Knott plans to address outdoor advertising saga

Ward 97 councillor Leah Knott is taking a stand against illegal outdoor advertising and plans to host a joint meeting with residents of wards 89 and 126 to discuss issues pertaining to the crisis on public roads.

This follows a collision on Hendrik Potgieter Road in Strubens Valley on 17 June involving a municipal vehicle, which was removing illegal advertisements and a bakkie whose driver crashed into the municipal truck resulting in a massive fuel spillage on the road.

READ: Hendrik Potgieter Road is closed due to diesel spill

The road had to be temporarily closed while emergency services attempted to clean up the mess. It was reported that the bakkie driver sustained a leg injury and was transported to a hospital along with a Metro officer for a check-up.

“I am holding an outdoor adverting public meeting with wards 89 and 126 in July after recess. We are waiting for the public participation period to end because the bylaws and enforcements have changed,” said Knott, adding that the date of the meeting will be finalised with officials after recess.

The public participation on the outdoor advertising issue is currently underway in all seven of the City’s regions until 30 June – residents and businesses are urged to submit their views in writing to Alwyn Nortje at alywnn@joburg.org.za or Jack Sekgobela at Jackse@joburg.org.za

Also, hand-written comments are accepted at the Outdoor Advertising Unit located on the 6th floor of the Metro Centre in Braamfontein (158 Loveday Street), from 8am until 3pm, Mondays to Fridays.

However, a draft bylaw in clamping down on illegal advertising is expected to be finalised later this year. The proposed draft has been approved by the City and seeks to charge the advertising companies criminally, also allowing Metro police to take down the adverts and slap agencies with a fine starting from R200 per poster to R2 500.

ALSO READ: New outdoor ad bylaw will hold companies criminally liable