City of Ekurhuleni to remove illegal billboard at Gillooly’s Farm
Since 2016, when the illegal billboard at Gillooly’s Farm was erected, the ward 20 councillor has been appealing for its removal, and CoE says it will be removed, soon.
The City of Ekurhuleni has stated that it will be removing the illegal billboard at Gillooly’s Farm soon.
The illegal billboard has been an eyesore to residents since 2016, when it was installed without approval from the city.
City’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said on February 10 that the City Development and Real Estate Department were responsible for enforcing the removal of illegal outdoor advertising.
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Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys had earlier in January appealed to the city by email to remove the billboard, stating, “Please see the attached pic of the illegal, empty billboard at Gillooly’s Farm.
Besides its hideously illegal presence, it now has a section that is falling and could cause serious injury. Please assist with the urgent removal of this billboard.”
Meanwhile, Dlamini acknowledged that the owner of the advertising board had been formally notified in recent years to remove it, but has persistently taken the city to court to avoid the removal.
“The city has a pending matter in the Johannesburg High Court to compel the owner to pay all outstanding rentals as well as all legal costs,” revealed Dlamini.
He added that back in 2024, a ruling was made against the billboard owner before Justice Seegobin and Mbhele AJJA (Molemela P, Schippers and Hughes JJA concurring) at the Supreme Court of Appeal.
The outcome of the ruling was as follows: “The billboard did not comply with the law; it is an illegal structure.
“The respondent was aware of this fact throughout.
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“In our view, no court is permitted to countenance a glaring illegality. Nor should a court turn a blind eye to the prescriptions of the law and the importance of observing them.
“After all, the by-laws are designed to maintain order, ensure public safety, and create harmonious living environments.
“Having found that the municipality had acted within the confines of the court order, both the application for special leave and the appeal ought to succeed. There is no reason why costs should not follow the result.”
