Political parties have been given until Wednesday, 16 March 2022, to remove their respective local government election campaign posters and billboards, or face to be fined.

The City of Johannesburg, in a gazetted notice, granted all registered political parties an exemption in terms of the City’s Outdoor Advertising By-Law, 2009.

The initial required the removal of election campaign outdoor advertising was within five days of the conclusion of the elections, held on 01 November 2021. The deadline was further extended to 30 November 2021, through a letter addressed to the Independent Electoral Commission by the Acting City Manager, Mr Floyd Brink.

It is, however, concerning that three months after the prior deadlines, election posters and related advertising material belonging to political parties remain flighted on City infrastructure.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Development Planning, Cllr Belinda Echeozonjoku, highlighted the failure of political parties to see to the removal of their election campaign advertising from the City’s infrastructure. This amounts to a contravention of Section 28(1)(e) of the by-law.

“The City has given political parties sufficient time to adhere to its requirement and will be forced to remove all posters and related material. All costs thereof will be for the account of the political party concerned.

“I took the responsibility to remove my election campaign posters. I challenge other candidates to do the same as part of their civic duty to keep our City’s infrastructure clear of clutter,” said Cllr Echeozonjoku.

Political parties who fail to meet the 16 March 2022 deadline (five working days) will be fined R94 per poster or material removed.

Cllr Echeozonjoku will be working closely with her counterpart for Public Safety, Cllr David Tembe, and the Joburg Metro Police Department, to assist the Outdoor Advertising unit to enforce the by-law and ensure the removal of the election posters and related advertising within the jurisdiction of the City.

Mr Samuel Maluleka, Assistant Director: Outdoor Advertising, can be contacted for further clarity, using the details below:

Email: SamuelMalu@joburg.org.za
Cell: 083 702 7261
Tel: 011 407 6709

Ends

Media enquiries
Poppy Louw
Chief Specialist: Communication and Stakeholder Liaison
Development Planning
poppyl@joburg.org.za
081 235 4999

09/03/2022