Free ride by illegal outdoor advertisers set to end

26 June 2017

 

In another meeting between officials of the City of Johannesburg’s Development Planning Department and other stakeholders in the outdoor advertising industry, media companies called for stricter measures to be imposed on the transgressors of the applicable by-laws to ensure fairness among all the players.

 

The meeting at the Lenasia Civic Centre on Thursday June 22 was one of several held citywide over the past few days to solicit input from outdoor advertisers in light of the recently approved draft by-laws that provide for the arrest and imprisonment of the transgressors, including directors and owners of media companies.

More than 78% of outdoor advertising in Johannesburg is believed to be illegal. This does not only cost the City millions of rands in lost revenue every year, but it also creates a safety hazard for the public and negatively impacts on municipal infrastructure.

The current by-laws regulating the industry have proved to be inadequate in curbing the scourge, hence the move by the City to implement tougher and stricter measures.

Lionel Jeffries, who was representing Print Media South Africa, a company that puts up posters for various newspapers in the city, said many of its posters were blocked from view by illegal outdoor adverts.

“This is unfair because we have an agreement with the City of Johannesburg to put up the posters and comply with all the applicable by-laws while others don’t,” Jeffries said.

Jack Sekgobela, Manager of Outdoor Advertising in the City’s Planning Department, said it was the end of the road for illegal outdoor advertisers in Johannesburg.

“People have been breaking the law and abusing our courts for a long time. With all these illegal practices going on, the City is being robbed of a lot of money,” Sekgobela said.