Illegal advertising stirs Sandton

The issue around illegal advertising in and around Sandton has become a great concern in the recent year as more and more advertisements seem to pop up overnight.

Concerned Bryanston resident Leonardo Lupini emulated that many residential concerns come from the fact that many of these illegal structures are defacing the city’s landscape. “The major problem that we now face is that we are sitting with many illegal structures that are effectively destroying the landscape, cluttering more and more open spaces on streets on which we live, work and drive,” he said.

Lupini added that upon contacting a number of ward councillors in the area, he was told that most, if not all, of these advertisements, were illegal. “There are many concerned Sandton residents such as myself who are sick and tired of this lawlessness on our doorsteps and demand answers.”

Ward 90 councillor Martin Williams said that the most affected roads in his ward were William Nicol and Sandton drives, Rivonia and Oxford roads and Jan Smuts Avenue. “There is much prime advertising space in the ward, and it is being abused,” he said.

According to Williams, the reason behind this consistent problem is the failure to enforce laws and by-laws.

“Corruption is a major contributing factor. The JMPD, SAPS and various City of Johannesburg agencies have collectively let us down.”

Williams added that a list of more than 100 illegal structures was compiled by the City of Johannesburg. In September, the City pledged to remove all illegal advertising after stating that 90 per cent of all signage was illegal. The respective owners were contacted and given a notice with an assigned grace period to take down their various structures but instead, abused the system.

“Basically, they deliberately misread a City of Johannesburg notice to mean that the City would legitimise advertising structures that were in place on a certain date. I believe that people within the City of Johannesburg assisted in this misrepresentation, which has had very bad consequences.”

Ward 102 councillor David Potter added that his office has written to the chairperson of the Section 79 Committee for Development Planning (which includes outdoor advertising) on 17 September as well as the City manager on 23 September.

“Since these were sent and other oversight escalations by various councillors in the City, it is believed that the City administration is working on the matter and has pronounced on it. As ward councillors, we are awaiting an update on the matter from the City Administration and Political Executive,” Potter said.

But what can you as residents do about this matter? “We urge residents to contact the Metro police by-law call centre if they see any illegal signs being erected,” said JMPD spokesperson Senior Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.

Report illegal advertisements and moving trailers to JMPD on 011 375 5911 or email complaintsple@joburg.org.za

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/204010/citys-move-to-curb-illegal-outdoor-advertising/