This comes after most advertisers failed to apply or re-apply for approval in order to comply with the by-laws.

According to GTM spokesman, Neville Ndlala, the municipality had published notices of their intention in October last year on various platforms such as newspapers, the municipality’s Facebook page and their website.

However, it seems as if all those efforts fell onto deaf ears as only a handful applied.

“Every advertising board must have written permission from the municipality in line with the by-laws or the board will be removed and the cost of such removal will be at the expense of the advertiser,” he stated.

Meanwhile, on GTM’s Facebook page residents raised their objections.

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Some said they don’t see the significance of the removal of the boards and demanded the municipality should focus on providing water and employment.

“I can’t think of a single time that these signs have bothered me.

Why waste time and effort on unimportant issues (and then brag about it on social media).

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“This only highlights GTM’s incompetence,” wrote Henk van Wyngaardt.

Meanwhile, “Devine Glamour Spa” commented that they did not receive any notices about the re-application and they hope that their boards have not been disposed of as they are expensive.

“I want mine to put it somewhere else,” they said.

Resident Matome Rabothata supported the municipality’s decision.

“People must understand that if you advertise you must first get an application form from the LED office and then get approval.

The municipality is doing right to remove the boards as some are illegal and makes Tzaneen town looks like a dustbin,” Rabothata said on Facebook.

Ndlala said applications for advertising boards must be submitted to the Local Economic Development (LED) office in person.

The application form as well as the by-laws are available on the GTM website (www.greatertzaneen.gov.za) or at the LED office, 15B Peace Street, Tzaneen.

For further enquiries, contact Maureen Ramabulana at 015 307 8081 or Freddy Rammalo at 015 307 8290/ 082 809 0454 or Freddy.rammalo@tzaneen.gov.za.