The City of Johannesburg has expanded its campaign against illegal outdoor advertising, removing dozens of unauthorised billboard structures and publicly identifying advertisements linked to some of South Africa’s best-known and international brands.
The enforcement drive, operating under the slogan “No to Illegal Outdoor Advertising,” forms part of a broader municipal effort to improve compliance with city by-laws, dismantle unlawful advertising structures and disconnect illegal electricity connections used to power them.
City Manager Floyd Brink said Johannesburg had adopted a more aggressive enforcement strategy after years of relying on court proceedings failed to curb the widespread installation of unauthorised billboards.
According to Brink, previous efforts focused on civil litigation and criminal charges against media owners and companies responsible for illegal advertising structures. However, officials concluded that legal action alone was not sufficient to prevent continued violations.
As a result, the city changed its approach in December 2025, shifting its emphasis from lengthy court processes to direct enforcement on the ground.
Direct enforcement replaces lengthy legal battles
Working with the Joburg Property Company (JPC), City Power, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Development Planning officials, municipal teams have begun dismantling non-compliant billboard structures across the city.
Since the enhanced campaign began, authorities say 41 illegal billboards have already been removed.
The municipality has also adopted a public transparency strategy by posting photographs and videos of non-compliant billboard structures on social media. While the enforcement action targets the structures rather than the advertisements themselves, the brands displayed on those billboards inevitably receive public attention.
JPC Chief Executive Musah Makhunga said the tougher approach has already encouraged greater industry cooperation.
According to Makhunga, several outdoor advertising companies have voluntarily approached the city to declare previously unregistered structures, begin settling outstanding municipal payments and commit to complying with Johannesburg’s advertising by-laws in future developments.
Officials stressed that enforcement operations will continue throughout the city.
Major brands urged to verify advertising compliance
Among the brands whose advertisements have appeared on non-compliant billboard structures are Absa, FNB, Disney, KFC, McDonald’s, Engen, Coca-Cola, Dis-Chem, Netflix, Jeep, Geely, GWM’s Tank vehicle range and WeBuyCars.
City officials noted that the appearance of a company’s advertisement on an illegal billboard does not necessarily mean the brand itself authorised or installed the structure. Many companies rely on advertising agencies, which may subcontract billboard placement to specialist outdoor media operators.
Nevertheless, municipal officials warned that public exposure can still create reputational risks for advertisers whose branding appears on unlawful structures.
The city has also reminded property owners that no outdoor advertising structure may be erected on either public or private land without obtaining the required municipal approvals.
JPC spokesperson Lucky Sindane said compliance requirements apply equally regardless of land ownership, adding that private commercial agreements cannot override municipal by-laws.
Brink encouraged businesses to protect their reputations by confirming that any billboard displaying their branding has received all necessary approvals before campaigns are launched.
The municipality reiterated that compliance is mandatory for every advertiser, media owner and property owner, regardless of company size or brand recognition, as Johannesburg continues strengthening enforcement of its outdoor advertising regulations.
Source: BusinessTech