What makes outdoor advertising illegal, and what steps can interested parties take to ensure compliance? An article sourced from Newsday outlined the elements that need to be taken into consideration.
The City of Johannesburg has launched an operation to address the growing prominence of illegal outdoor advertising across the city.
Musah Makhunga, the CEO of the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), said that unlawful structures are a big problem in the city. He explained that these unlawful structures compromise public safety, disrupt infrastructure, and deprive the City of much-needed revenue.
‘This operation reflects a firm stance against non-compliance and a renewed commitment to enforcing by-laws without fear or favour,’ he said.
Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor, Dada Morero, added that the companies behind the illegal billboards violate advertising by-laws and engineering certification standards. He explained that the operation, which involves reclaiming public spaces and restoring order, is related to illegal outdoor advertising in Johannesburg.
Earlier this week, Makhunga and his team took the operation to Winnie Mandela Drive, where they uncovered many illegal structures, ‘We are dealing with ten sites where the city of Johannesburg is not receiving any revenue from the outdoor advertising,’ he said.
He showed one billboard which generates between R100,000 and R150,000 per month, where the city is not paid any money.
‘We will be on the ground visiting different regions and different streets to enforce the City of Johannesburg’s by-laws’, he said, ‘If people do not want to comply with the by-laws, we will take down the signs until they come forward and engage with the city.’
He explained that the outdoor advertising providers must get approval for the sites and have a lease agreement with the city. Makhunga added that the operation, which was launched in December 2025, will continue until all outdoor advertisers are compliant.
The Acting Chief of Police, Eldred Fortein, joined City Manager Floyd Brink and Makhunga, assisting in the removal of illegal outdoor signage.
‘The City is sending a clear message: unauthorised structures that bypass engineering safety and steal from municipal revenue will not be tolerated,’ he said, ‘We are leaving no stone unturned in our mission to clear uncertified structures.’
