MMC Ald. Nomadlozi Nkosi.
Community Empowerment

OUTDOOR ADVERTISERS ENCOURAGED TO COMPLY WITH BY-LAWS AND TO REGULARIZE ILLEGAL ADVERTISING SIGNS

By Thulasizwe City of Ekurhuleni 1449

The Development Planning and Real Estate Department in the City of Ekurhuleni yesterday conducted a law enforcement operation targeting illegal outdoor advertising in Bedfordview and Alberton, respectively.

This was the official launch of a campaign against the contravention of city’s Billboards and Display of Advertisements By-laws.

The enforcement blitz and the entire campaign will be led by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Development Planning and Real Estate Ald. Nomadlozi Nkosi.

During this campaign MMC Nkosi and her team identify billboards and signage erected without municipal approval. Any structure that is non-compliant is marked with a sticker to alert the owner to correct the status quo by approaching the municipality’s City Planning division.

Ald. Nkosi has called on the property owners and advertising companies to respond promptly upon receiving notices to avoid further action which may include the following:

  • Removal of illegal signage at the owner’s cost;
  • Possible fines and legal action in accordance with municipal by-laws; and
  • Forfeiture of the opportunity to apply retroactively.

“The whole idea is to get our businesses to comply with the law and avoid penalties,” Ald. Nkosi said.

“The City of Ekurhuleni would like to make it clear that outdoor advertising must be approved by the municipality before being displayed as outlined by the Billboards and the Display of Advertisements By-laws.

“There are many outdoor advertising activities that are taking place across the City. Some of these have the potential to pose danger to the public, property, and the environment.”

To this end, owners of illegal outdoor advertising erected on council properties or within road reserves under the local authority’s jurisdiction will be contacted so that they can be assisted to obtain municipal approval of compliance with the By-laws, and the conclusion of a formal lease agreement with the City of Ekurhuleni in respect of the advertising sign(s).

The city further encourages owners of illegal outdoor advertising signs to co-operate, so that the process can move faster and seamlessly.

Any party wishing to apply for a new outdoor advertising sign(s) or to regularise their existing illegal advertising sign(s) on municipal property or within road reserves under its jurisdiction, will have to submit their application(s) to the city.

For more information on how to apply or to report illegal advertising, visit www.ekurhuleni.gov.za or contact your nearest Customer Care Area (CCA). The public can also send an email to Outdooradvertising@ekurhuleni.gov.za or call Lethabo Shebu on 011 999 3691/2, Susan Wilson on 011 999 0974/4 or Yolandi Esterhuizen on 011 999 1680.