CITY CRACKS DOWN ON ILLEGAL SIGNAGE

The City is on a by-law enforcement campaign aimed at rooting out unauthorised outdoor billboards and extends an invitation for advertisers to comply with the municipal by-laws on advertising.

Spearheaded by Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Development Planning and Real Estate, Ald Nomadlozi Nkosi, this campaign seeks to enforce the City’s Billboards and Display of Advertisements By-law.

The campaign focuses on identifying signage installed without municipal approval, promoting voluntary compliance, and safeguarding the integrity of the urban landscape while protecting municipal revenue.

“On the first phase of the campaign, the City is physically identifying unauthorised signage by placing clear non-compliance stickers on outdoor adverts found to be erected without approval. These stickers alert responsible parties that the signage is unauthorised and encourage them to be in contact with the municipality to begin the formal application process,” said the MMC.

MMC Nkosi emphasised that this approach gives billboard owners and media companies an opportunity to comply with the municipal by–laws on advertising.

“We encourage property owners and advertising companies to act promptly upon receiving notice. Failure to respond will lead to the removal of illegal signage at the owner’s expense, imposition of fines, potential legal action, and the forfeiture of any opportunity to apply for retroactive approval,” she said.

The City urges all stakeholders in the outdoor advertising industry to cooperate and help ensure a well-regulated, attractive, and compliant urban environment.

For more information on how to apply or to report illegal advertising, visit www.ekurhuleni.gov.za or contact your nearest Customer Care Centre.