The City of Ekurhuleni has continued demolition operations at the illegal billboard at Gillooly’s Farm in Bedfordview, following a lengthy legal battle over the structure.

As previously reported by Bedfordview Edenvale News, the city’s Development Planning and Real Estate Department began dismantling the billboard on May 11 as part of ongoing efforts to enforce compliance and remove unlawful structures.

Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza oversaw the operation, stating on May 12 that the municipality would continue acting against by-law transgressions.

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According to the city, the billboard had stood at the Gillooly’s interchange for more than 10 years without the required compliance certificates.

The matter has been before the courts since 2014, with the dispute eventually reaching the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Xhakaza said the city had spent more than R2m in legal fees pursuing the matter and is seeking ways to recover the costs.

The municipality is also pursuing the recovery of about R20m in rental allegedly owed over the years the billboard remained in place.

ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni to remove illegal billboard at Gillooly’s Farm

The mayor said the city would continue monitoring compliance with municipal by-laws and urged property owners and businesses operating outside regulations to engage with the municipality to avoid similar action.

Demolition work at the site is expected to continue until all debris has been removed.

The City of Ekurhuleni says the billboard at Gillooly’s interchange stood illegally for more than a decade without the required compliance certificates.