City removes illegal billboard outside Bryanston Shopping Centre
The City of Johannesburg led a joint enforcement operation to crack down on illegal advertising at the corner of Ballyclare Drive and Winnie Mandela Drive.
After a year of community outcry, the massive illegal billboard at the corner of Ballyclare and Winnie Mandela drives in Bryanston was finally removed on January 27.
The removal took place during a joint enforcement operation led by the City of Johannesburg, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, City Power, and Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackelford.
The operation followed growing frustration among residents over illegal billboards across Bryanston. The sight of a huge billboard outside Bryanston Shopping Centre became a tipping point, with residents questioning whether the city was benefiting from these structures, as no action was taken despite numerous reports.
City of Johannesburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said the operation targeted a range of non-compliant outdoor advertising, with digital billboards a key focus due to their high electricity demand and the increasing prevalence of illegal and unsafe power connections.
“These connections place the city’s electrical infrastructure at risk, endanger surrounding communities, and constitute electricity theft. The operation identified multiple serious contraventions, including advertising structures not registered on the city’s system, illegal electricity infrastructure, and the use of unapproved or noncompliant meters.”
He added that more than six illegal advertising signs were identified during the operation, including large, high-impact billboards along Winnie Mandela Drive and the N1 corridor.
“A large advertising structure located on private property was also identified as non-compliant. While the city is unable to remove the entire structure at this stage, parts of the sign are being removed to enforce compliance and mitigate risk.”
Modingoane urged all advertisers in Johannesburg to comply with municipal requirements.
“This includes registering advertising structures, obtaining the necessary approvals, opening a City Power account, applying for an approved meter, and paying for the electricity consumed. Failure to comply will result in enforcement action.”
He concluded that illegal outdoor advertising and unlawful electricity use undermine public safety, damage municipal infrastructure, and deprive the city of revenue needed for service delivery.
“Compliance is mandatory, not optional. The City of Johannesburg will continue with intensified, city-wide operations.”
Also read: Hurlingham ward councillors take action against illegal outdoor advertising
Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackelford, who has been fighting illegal advertising in Bryanston for years, welcomed the removal.
“I’m very glad and happy to see the structure come down. My concern is that the sign was up for over a year.”
While pleased with the progress, Shackelford questioned the consequences for those responsible.
“What are the consequences of these actions to these companies that keep doing this? I have other signs that have been up since prior to my term, in 2018, in my ward that are still up. I hope this is the first of many.”
She added that her biggest concern was how the city planned to recover the money generated from illegal advertising.
“How are we going to get the money made from these advertisements back to the city? Because this is money that should be going to the city if it were a legal billboard.”
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