Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) has launched an operation to remove illegal outdoor advertising along Winnie Mandela Drive in Fourways.

The initiative is part of a broader campaign to enforce compliance with city by-laws and enhance municipal revenue. Musah Makhunga, CEO of JPC, explained the operation.

“We are dealing with all the outdoor advertising boards along this street that have been erected without approval or leases with the city. These boards are generating revenue for their owners while the city loses out. Our model allows for revenue sharing with approved operators, so it’s crucial that everyone complies.”

Read more: Illegal outdoor advertising: A decade-old battle resurfaces as city fails to act

The campaign is supported by a multi-skilled team from across the City of Johannesburg, including Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), development planning, facilities management, the CFO’s office, City Power, and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

The team is ensuring all compliance and safety issues are addressed, including illegal electricity connections to some billboards.

Floyd Brink, city manager of Johannesburg, also commented on the seriousness of this issue.

“The issue of illegal outdoor advertising has been growing, and it impacts both our compliance efforts and financial sustainability.

The outdoor advertising industry in the city is valued at nearly R5b, and the city should be receiving approximately 35% of that revenue. This operation ensures that illegal boards are either brought into compliance or removed entirely.”

Brink and Makhunga assured residents and councillors that this operation is the latest in a series of enforcement campaigns.

Also read: Ward 93 councillor intervenes in illegal billboard construction on Witkoppen Road

“Similar operations are planned across other areas of Johannesburg in the coming weeks, focusing on revenue enhancement and by-law enforcement. In a previous operation, in December 2025, all removed boards were compliant with legal processes, and none challenged the city in court.”

Makhunga added: “Where possible, we aim to help illegal operators become compliant. If compliance isn’t achievable, we will adopt a zero-tolerance approach. This is about protecting city revenue and ensuring that Johannesburg remains orderly and lawful.”

Ward 115 councillor Mark Van der Merwe and Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy welcomed the operation. “We’ve been complaining about these illegal structures for over a year, and today we’re thankful that the city has come out to remove them,” said Van der Merwe.

@caxtonjoburgnorth City manager Floyd Brink outlines a follow-up operation on William Nicol Drive, where the City of Johannesburg is intensifying by-law enforcement and revenue protection efforts against illegal outdoor advertising, including non-compliant billboards and unlawful electricity connections, as part of a citywide clean-up campaign. Video: Ayanda Ntshingila #caxtonlocalmedia #Localnews #News #Fyp #Community #servicedelivery #JMPD ♬ original sound Caxton Joburg North

He also added that investigations had been conducted to determine which advertising boards were legally approved and which were not.

“Between the highway and Witkoppen Road, there is only one legal advert, and that is inside the Eagle’s Nest bed and breakfast. All the other adverts along this stretch are illegal and are being removed today.”

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