Share

Johannesburg tightens billboard laws

Johannesburg - The City of Johannesburg has toughened up on its outdoor advertising rules and will place violations in the same category as building hijacking, it said on Sunday.

"The city is now getting tough on several offending companies - including top international brands - in a new drive to avert loss of revenue and possibly recoup some of the lost revenue as well as ensure compliance," said Jack Sekgobela, manager of outdoor advertising in the city's planning department.

He stated the city was losing millions each year to illegal outdoor advertising.

READ: Cell C billboard: Court to hear arguments

It would audit "each and every sign" to verify which ones are legal and which are not and how much revenue is being lost.

He said the old by-laws allowed offenders to use loopholes.

"The offenders would deliberately ignore our officials when approached to find amicable solutions. The court processes are lengthy, and even when the matter eventually gets to be heard, these companies get a slap on the wrist," he said.

The revised by-laws would allow the city to institute civil claims against offenders.

It has started laying criminal charges against landlords of premises on which billboards are erected, the advertising agency, the company being advertised, and its directors and shareholders.

He said the outdoor advertising and billboards by-laws do not allow for illegal billboards to be erected without the city's permission.

Most of the billboards were erected at night or over weekends by unknown people.

The approval process for outdoor advertising had also been streamlined with no current applications in the system to be processed or approved.

A task team including the police, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Hawks and the Johannesburg metro has now been set up to tackle the problem.

He said the city won a case against international electronics company, Samsung last year after a four-year legal battle.

ALSO READ: Who's really behind e-tolls billboard?

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.0%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.41
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.0%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders