City of Ekurhuleni clamps down on illegal advertisers
The CoE launched a campaign to enforce its billboard by-laws in Bedfordview and Alberton. Those with unauthorised signage face removal, fines or legal action if they don’t comply.
The Development Planning and Real Estate Department in the CoE held a law enforcement operation targeting illegal outdoor advertising in Bedfordview and Alberton.
This was the launch of a campaign against contravening the city’s Billboards and Display of Advertisements by-laws.
MMC for Development Planning and Real Estate, Nomadlozi Nkosi, will lead the enforcement blitz and the campaign.
Nkosi and her team will identify billboards and signage erected without municipal approval. Non-compliant structures are marked with a sticker to alert the owner to correct the status quo by approaching the municipality’s City Planning division.
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Nkosi has called on the property owners and advertising companies to respond promptly upon receiving the notices to avoid further action, which might include:
• Removing illegal signage at the owner’s cost;
• Possible fines and legal action as per municipal by-laws; and
• Forfeiture of the opportunity to apply retroactively.
“The idea is to get our businesses to comply with the law and avoid penalties,” Nkosi said.
“The CoE stresses that outdoor advertising must be approved by the municipality before being displayed, as outlined by the Billboards and the Display of Advertisements By-laws.
“There are many outdoor advertising activities taking place across the city. Some have the potential to pose danger to the public, property and the environment,” said Nkosi.
To ensure compliance with municipal regulations, the city will begin contacting the owners of illegal outdoor advertising structures on council-owned land or within road reserves under its jurisdiction.
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The initiative will help advertisers receive municipal approval by guiding them through the process to secure compliance and formalise a lease agreement with the city for the continued display of their signage.
“The city encourages the owners of illegal outdoor advertising signs to co-operate so that the process can move faster and seamlessly.
“Any party wishing to apply for new outdoor advertising sign(s) or to regularise their existing illegal advertising sign(s) on municipal property or within road reserves under its jurisdiction will have to submit their application(s) to the city.
“For information on how to apply or to report illegal advertising, visit www.ekurhuleni.gov.za or contact your nearest Customer Care Area,” said Nkosi.
The public can also email Outdooradvertising@ekurhuleni.gov.za, call Lethabo Shebu on 011 999 3691/2, Susan Wilson on 011 999 0974/4 or Yolandi Esterhuizen on 011 999 1680.
