Failure to remove political posters could result in a fine for parties
As the 2024 elections have now been concluded, all 70 of the political parties and individuals who put up campaign posters are urged to remove them.
These parties are being held responsible for these posters and they are meant to remove them from community light poles and traffic lights so that South African communities can remain clean.
Such political posters, if not removed, can fly around and could obstruct traffic, litter the street or even get stuck in stormwater drains.
According to a Johannesburg City media release, all political parties that participated and displayed posters, as well as other related election material for the use of a political campaign, had done so under the provisions of section 28 of the City of Johannesburg’s outdoor advertising by-laws (2009). It states that the posters must be removed within fourteen days after the election has ended.
Failure to do so allows the council to notify the relevant party to remove all their posters within the period specified. Failing which, the council may remove the posters themselves against a prescribed fee of R500 per poster payable by each party.
According to the media release, in terms of section 8 (1) (J) and 8 (2) (C) and (D) and the provisions of section 27 of the by-laws (2009), before the elections take place the city of Johannesburg can waive the provisions of section 3.
This means that political parties as well as independent candidates that registered with the Independent Electoral Commission are exempted from complying with the provisions of the aforementioned sections.
They are, however, required to submit the necessary applications to not be forced to pay the prescribed fees, in relation to the by-laws outlined by the City of Johannesburg.
