By Tabisa Mntengwana
08 February 2012

THOUSANDS of illegal posters and flyers have been confiscated by law enforcement agencies, which are trying to stop offensive signs from being illegally pasted up around the city.

This comes after the municipality noticed a disturbing trend of people erecting signs, posters and notices illegally. "In response to this problem, the City initiated a law enforcement campaign against the display of illegal and undesirable posters, especially in the CBD," says the communications manager, Keith Ngesi.

In addition, 16 summonses have been issued to healers in Gladstone Street in the CBD for illegally displaying advertising posters. According to Ngesi, there are numerous advertising boards erected in contravention of the law.

The by-law states that it is an offence to display or attempt to display a new sign or alert, or add to an existing sign without the approval of the municipality.

In a raid last week, approximately 30 000 posters, flyers and pamphlets were confiscated. Mbewu Mbolekwa, from the metro's signage control section, says the City police will patrol the streets on the lookout for people erecting illegal posters. They will arrest those they catch.

"We are calling upon our people and relevant stakeholders to come on board and assist in the clamp down on those who are violating the City's by-laws and spreading filth in such an unacceptable [manner]."

The CBD is the main area being targeted by illegal advertisers of entertainment shows and illegal clinics, he says.

The by-law adds that signs may not be affixed to or painted on a wall unless "in the opinion of the local authority, such wall, fence or hoarding serves primarily either to conceal a condition or attribute of the property on which such a wall, fence or hoarding is erected".

Ngesi explains that the posters are put up in inappropriate places like street verandas, traffic control signs, heritage sites, walls, rocks, bins and trees. "Some contain offensive material or tend to obstruct traffic in such streets or pollute the environment."

Signs placed on a parapet wall, balustrade or railing of a veranda or a balcony may not be more than 910mm in depth, or project above or below or beyond either end of the wall, or project more 230mm in front of the wall, according to the by-law.

It further states:

• No sign affixed to a beam or fascia of a veranda or balcony shall exceed 500mm in depth, or project above or below or beyond either end of such beam or fascia.
• No posters may be erected on light standards within 40m of a busy intersection or on traffic control signal. Swinging signs, loose portable signs, aerial signs and other signs not rigidly fixed are barred and no posters may be affixed to street trees.
• All posters, backing boards and cord or string must be removed within seven days of the event.
• Posters must be a minimum of 2,2m above the ground and a minimum of 2m below the light fixture.
• Posters for election campaigns may number 200 per party and per ward. Posters may be erected 30 days before the event and must be removed within seven days after the event.
• A partially refundable deposit of R500 must be paid to cover the cost of removal of the posters should the applicant fail to do so.
• Permission for advertising posters may be granted only to non-profit making organisations such charities, institutions and educational bodies on payment of a deposit of R100.

According to Ngesi, putting up illegal signage hampers the City's efforts to keep the environment clean. "The municipality is calling upon residents to take pride in and responsibility for their environment and discourage these people who are spreading filth in the city."

Should any person want to erect posters, a written application must be made at the signage section. The application form for erecting outdoor advertising signs or hoardings is available online.

For more information, contact the section on 043 705 2019.

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