Johannesburg residents are still waiting for the city to deliver on a promise made six months ago to audit and tighten control over outdoor advertising across the metro.

This follows Fourways Review raising the alarm over illegal adverts proliferating across the suburb, particularly along major roads such as Witkoppen and Winnie Mandela drives. The question was: What is the city doing about it?

Despite repeated concerns about illegal billboards and signage, only two officials remain responsible for monitoring compliance, the same number reported in August by the city. “The number has not changed since then,” confirmed city spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane.

Read more: City personnel shortage in fight against illegal advertising

The officials’ workload is significant. Modingoane explained that they respond to complaints, do surveillance to spot illegal construction of advertising signs, and issue contraventions. They also recommend for imposition of rates penalties, where such contraventions exist on private properties. “Law enforcement officers also do desk top work to confirm the legal status of identified advertising signs as they do surveillance.”

To support them, he said the city arranged collaboration with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department. “The JMPD support, once we are alert of the illegality happening, is called in urgently to stop the illegal construction and the process of law enforcement will start.”

However, capacity constraints remain a problem. On progress toward increasing staff or resources, Modingoane admitted: “The collaboration with JMPD is arranged to assist in the capacity related issues. Additional capacity is still being worked on by the department.”

Modingoane promised that an outdoor advertising audit would be conducted to rot out illegal adverts, however, it has yet to start. “The audit has not begun. However, the plan is underway. It is a process that involves supply chain management to outsource the services. The process is required to ensure compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act.”

He noted that the audit is expected next year, with results to be made public. “The outcome will be made public, via the city’s platforms.”

He said if illegal signage is confirmed, enforcement will follow. “If confirmed to be illegal, a contravention notice shall be issued and the owner of the sign, and/or the property, will be instructed to remove the illegal sign.”

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