Greenberg calls on companies to comply with advertising laws
JOHANNESBURG – A R1 000 fine for each poster confiscated is issued to a company that does not comply or face the full might of the law.
Companies that continue to flagrantly disregard the City of Johannesburg’s outdoor advertising by-laws face serious legal action even prosecution.
This according to Ward 72 councillor, Lionel Greenberg, warning companies that place their adverts on street poles without following proper processes or by-laws.
Greenberg said he spent a lot of time trying to educate and sensitise companies to refrain from illegally posting their adverts on street poles but they seem not to listen. He added that he continued to work with the Metro police in removing the illegal adverts.
“For a company to advertise on the street poles they need to have approached the City’s advertising department and fully comply with municipal advertising by-laws,” added Greenberg.
“Companies that want to comply, need to pay for the space accordingly and will be issued a sticker that shows that they are complying. If not, your advert means it is placed illegally and that is tantamount to fraud.”
The councillor said he would take tough legal action against those that did not comply including going to the High Court to seek interdicts.
“If you fail to comply with the order, you will then be arrested for contempt of court and you will be prosecuted for that.”
Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, the spokesperson for the Metro police said, “[Metro police] confiscate the posters and a charge of R1 000 for each poster will be issued to the company or the owner, and if they fail to comply a warrant of arrest will be issued.”
Tracy Langlois, the spokesperson for Aucor Property, a company that has posters placed on street poles along Louis Botha Avenue, said their company was compliant.
She said, “We can confirm that as far as we are concerned, we are compliant and have taken all reasonable steps to ensure so.”
Details: Lionel Greenberg 084 247 7000.
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Related article:
https://northeasterntribune.co.za/217378/citys-move-to-curb-illegal-outdoor-advertising/
