JMPD removes Solidarity banners over lack of city approval

THE Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) has confirmed that it removed Solidarity's controversial campaign banners from city roads, citing noncompliance with municipal advertising regulations.

- HOPE NTANZI

Speaking on 702, JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the city has strict bylaws regulating outdoor advertising, and anyone wishing to put up signage must first apply through the Department of Development Planning's Outdoor Advertising unit

"With the information that we do have at the present moment, there is that the signage was not applied for through the City of Johannesburg, and also the City of Johannesburg has the prerogative to decide what kind of messages that should be put up on whatever public space that is with the City of Johannesburg, and that's the reason why the signage was removed.

"There was no application, and also the city has a prerogative on what type of messages should be put up," he explained.

Fihla clarified that while Solidarity may claim to have paid for advertising space, the JMPD has no record of such an application.