The Ekurhuleni Metro, prior to the municipal election in August, called on political parties to ensure their election posters are taken down within 14 days of voting day.
Metro spokesman Themba Gadebe says election posters are being classified under Category 5 in the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department’s by-laws and are expected to be removed after 14 days from the date of elections, in terms of Section 47 (9) (f).
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“This section is applicable to municipal or parliamentary elections, by-elections, referendums and (associated) registration process,” he says.
Gadebe explains when political posters are still up after 14 days, the relevant party has exceeded their 14 days post-election removal deadline, as per municipal by-laws.
“This constitutes illegal advertising,” says Gadebe.
Failure to remove the posters, will result in the metro removing the poster at the promulgated tariff of approximately R117 per poster and these costs, will be recovered from the applicable political party.
In a recent media statement released by Zweli Dlamini, mayoral spokesman, he states “political parties within council have to demonstrate that they respect the laws of the land by adhering to the by-laws that they collectively passed.
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“Any undermining of these laws will unfortunately have undesirable effects in the long run as it will give an impression that these ordinances are not to be taken seriously.
“Compliance with the by-laws means that the parties need to remove its posters within the allocated period to avoid penalties,” says Dlamini.
When approached for comment about why the mayor has ignored these by-laws, Dlamini says the mayor cannot be held responsible as “it is not the mayor who put up the posters”.
According to the electoral coordinator, Zingisani Nkamana, the poster team did remove the posters within the prescribed 14 days.
“They might have missed one or two, but they will remove it as soon as possible,” says Nkamana.
