City of Johannesburg cracks down on illegal advertising boards

The City of Johannesburg’s Development Planning Department has declared war on all illegal advertising boards and signs that have been erected in the city.

The city will embark on an extensive campaign to tear down and destroy all illegal signage found to be in contravention of the city’s by-laws.

Media owners are encouraged to confirm the status of their advertising signs with the Development Planning Department’s outdoor advertising unit to ensure they follow by-laws.

MMC0 for Development Planning in the City of Johannesburg, Eunice Mgcina, said despite the city’s efforts to engage illegal advertisers, there is still a considerable number of media owners who have put up illegal advertising signs on public and private land without approval as required by the by-laws.

“For some time now, we have been plagued by illegal advertising signs of various forms. This is concerning and cannot be tolerated because the city is losing millions of rand in advertising revenue because of this illegal marketing.

“We are concerned about this lawlessness and based on these concerns and numerous complaints from various ward councillors and other affected parties; we are undertaking site inspections to collate information on illegally erected signs.

“Anyone sign found to be illegal in terms of the city’s advertising sign database and the applicable bylaws, regardless of size and stature, the city shall not hesitate to take the necessary steps within its power to remove them particularly if media owners fail to immediately remedy and comply with the provisions of the applicable bylaw once notified,” said Mgcina.

Mgcina added that the city was committeed to enforcing its bylaws to ensure strict adherence and timely accrual of lawful revenue owed to the Municipality.

“Media owners and interested parties are reminded that the city had reached out to advertisers back in 2019 when outdoor advertising companies were allowed to declare their signs regardless of their legal status.

“Considering all previous efforts, including the council’s declaration in 2019, the city has now reached a point where it has adopted a zero-tolerance stance to the lawlessness and every available avenue to achieve this objective will be explored and implemented without fail.

“The city has established systems to urgently consider all submitted applications and new applications. All applications for outdoor advertising would be provided with outcomes to enable the city to deal decisively with unscrupulous media owners.

“In addition, the city is collaborating with all stakeholders (the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, all other state-owned entities, and the courts) to enable the municipality to restore law and order,” said Mgcina.

Mgcina calls on brand owners or advertisers and their advertising agencies to contact the city to confirm the legality of any advertising sign before concluding any contracts and or to desist from the illegal erection of advertising signs and billboards.

“Our message to all advertising entities across the city is clear: comply or we will come after you,” said Mgcina