The City of Johannesburg has admitted that it is struggling to keep up with the pace when it comes to the rapid rise of illegal outdoor advertising structures across Fourways and other parts of the metro, due to the severe capacity constraints in enforcement teams.

Responding to concerns raised by Ward 94 Councillor David Foley, who has flagged multiple sites along Witkoppen Road where large concrete bases and gantry installations appear without visible permit notices, Nthatisi Modingoane from the city acknowledged gaps in proactive enforcement.

Read more: The ugly truth about advertising illegally in Johannesburg

According to Modingoane, the outdoor advertising is monitored through daily surveillance of both public spaces and private properties, with enforcement carried out by law enforcement officers and a specialised Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) unit.

However, he admits that its resources are overstretched, and therefore, that is why illegal adverts are reinstated despite intervention by the JMPD. “This is happening because of the capacity challenges to do effective and efficient surveillance.

“Currently, the city’s outdoor advertising law enforcement team, supported by the JMPD outdoor advertising unit, comprises of only two officials to manage the entire span of the city. This is why the city is challenged in this area,” Modingoane said, adding that the matter had been escalated.

He also described the legal status of billboards in the area as a “moving target,” since approvals are granted for specific time periods, can expire, and may later be regularised if applications are lodged.

Modingoane confirmed plans to conduct a full outdoor advertising audit to establish the true extent of signage across Johannesburg.

When asked how many billboards on Witkoppen Road in Fourways are legal according to the city’s records, Modingoane couldn’t do the count.

“The difference in this type of built environment application is that their legal status is never permanent if one compares with applications such as rezoning, service delivery platform (SDP), or building plans.

“At the same time, it is a bit challenging to estimate the number of signs being approved as per a specific street, be it within a private property or on the road reserves due to above explanation. Furthermore, the city is still planning to conduct outdoor advertising audit to establish the city outdoor advertising status out there.”

He said when illegal signage is identified, the city says it imposes rates penalties in line with its policy, and litigation is pursued where feasible, though high legal costs often limit this option. In some cases, illegal billboards are demolished or removed.

Councillor Foley has previously described the situation in Fourways as a “cat-and-mouse game,” with operators reinstalling signage just days after removals. Modingoane said the city continues to rely on by-law enforcement, penalties, and removals, but stressed that building more capacity is essential if it is to respond effectively to growing community complaints.

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