Illegal billboards ripped down in South Africa’s richest city
The City of Johannesburg has urged media owners and outdoor advertising agencies not to support companies operating without proper approval.
Illegal outdoor advertising has become such a big problem in Johannesburg that the city has launched a campaign against it.
Over the last few months, the City of Johannesburg has ripped down numerous billboards which did not have the required approvals.
This formed part of a major enforcement operation targeting illegal outdoor advertising, which began last year.
Apart from erecting billboards without approval, many digital advertising structures draw electricity unlawfully from the city’s network.
These connections place the city’s electrical infrastructure at risk, endanger surrounding communities, and constitute electricity theft.
The latest operations identified serious contraventions, including unregistered advertising structures and illegal electricity infrastructure.
Some of the digital billboards were also found to use unapproved or non-compliant electricity meters.
“Illegal outdoor advertising and unlawful electricity use undermine public safety and damage municipal infrastructure,” the city said.
The city reiterated that all advertisers operating in Johannesburg must comply with municipal requirements.
This includes registering advertising structures, obtaining the necessary approvals, and opening a City Power account.
Advertising companies also need to obtain an approved meter and pay for the electricity they consume. “Failure to comply will result in enforcement action,” it said.
Campaign against illegal outdoor advertising continues
On Tuesday, 17 February 2026, the city conducted a large-scale enforcement operation starting at Bryanston Shopping Centre.
It proceeded along Winnie Mandela Drive toward Sandton, where 10 illegal billboards were identified, several of which were taken down.
Some of the signs removed had previously been disconnected from the City Power electricity grid for illegal connections. They have been reconnected unlawfully.
The operation was carried out by City Power, Joburg Property Company (JPC), and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.
The City of Johannesburg Development Planning and the Johannesburg Roads Agency assisted in the campaign.
JPC CEO Musah Makunga said the city aims to ensure full compliance with its by-laws by all partners and stakeholders.
“We are out here making sure that the people we do business with follow the rules of the City of Johannesburg,” Makunga said.
A growing number of illegal billboards have been identified around Sandton, and media owners have been urged to approach the city for proper application procedures.
Development Planning executive director Eric Raboshakga said many of the properties hosting illegal signs are also neglected.
“The sign we are removing today is on a neglected property. Owners are making money from the structure, yet the site itself is abandoned,” he said.
Raboshakga emphasised the need for lawful applications and responsible property maintenance.
“We urge property owners to follow the proper legal process when applying for signage and to keep their properties well-maintained,” said Raboshakga.
He added that the city will continue operations throughout the week to identify and remove additional illegal signs.
Raboshakga added that many of the illegal billboards pose safety risks due to their brightness or proximity to intersections.
“We urge media owners and outdoor advertising agencies not to support companies operating without approval,” he said.
Illegal outdoor advertising taken down in Johannesburg
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