A signboard urging for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin if he comes to the country in August has been taken down.

The giant signboard between Midrand and Pretoria urged for President Cyril Ramaphosa to execute the International Criminal Court warrant of arrest for Putin over allegations of war crimes in Ukraine.

Putin is expected in the country, the host of the next Brics summit attended by leaders of member countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, in August.

The signboards were put up along the N1 and R21 highways between Johannesburg and Pretoria, as part of a 14-month-long campaign to see Putin arrested, however, the EFF in Tshwane threatened to remove the giant signage last week.

Tshwane EFF had alleged the signboard contravened the municipality’s by-law on outdoor advertising and requested Tshwane to remove it within 24 hours.

“We understand that freedom of expression is an important value in our society, but we won’t tolerate this. The EFF in Tshwane is giving you [Tshwane mayor] 24 hours to remove this billboard,” it demanded.

A spokesperson of advertiser Avaaz, Amy Musgrave, told Pretoria Rekord the signboard had been removed after a successful campaign last week.

“The billboards were erected by Avaaz on May 31 and were removed earlier this week.”

Avaaz is a US-based nonprofit organisation that promotes activism on issues such as climate change, human rights, animal rights, corruption, poverty and war-like conflict.

EFF delighted over removal

EFF Tshwane chairperson Obakeng Ramabodu celebrated the board’s recent removal.

“They are illegal and disgraceful billboards erected on Botha Avenue in Centurion, calling for the arrest of Putin. The billboard erected by agent provocateurs does not comply with the municipality’s by-law on outdoor advertising.

“Standard procedure requires billboards to be approved by the economic development department, yet according to information at our disposal, the billboard was not approved by the municipality.”

Ramabodu alleged that the billboards did not represent the majority of Pretoria’s residents’ attitude towards Putin.

“The majority of African residents in the municipality never suffered amnesia to the point of forgetting the role of Russia in providing military support to South Africans during the dark days of apartheid.”

‘Ratepayers’ money was not used’ – mayor

Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink previously dismissed suggestions that the metro used ratepayers’ money to erect the billboards.

“Fake posts are saying Tshwane has paid hundreds of thousands of rand to erect a billboard to call for Putin to be arrested,” Brink said.

“Tshwane has more pressing problems than Putin: If there is an arrest Putin billboard in the city, Tshwane hasn’t paid for it.”

Brink said outside advertising was usually paid for by private companies and organisations.

Petition against Putin

An Avaaz petition has since garnered more than 500 000 signatures calling on the South African authorities not to host Putin.

Senior legal officer at Avaaz Ruth Delbaere said: “Putin’s visit would roll out the red carpet for a wanted war criminal. This is a make-or-break moment for South Africa’s moral compass.

“It has a chance to stand with the oppressed – or turn its back on them and side with a man responsible for the abduction of thousands of children. If Putin’s trip goes ahead and he leaves a free man, it’ll be a victory for impunity everywhere.”

She said the digital billboards were designed to be seen by droves of commuters and cabinet members who frequently use the routes.