The Mogoditshane-Thamaga Sub-District Council has raised concern over billboards that are haphazardly placed along the roads, saying this has affected provision of services in some areas where they are predominant.
Speaking to the Sunday Standard, Senior Assistant Council Secretary, Steven Motlogelwa, said that the situation has gone worse, with the proliferation of illegal billboard advertisements that are placed everywhere. He said that over 90 signboards are illegally placed in the Mogoditshane-Thamaga area, adding that they are mostly placed at road intersections.
Motlogelwa said that this practice has impacted negatively on the environment.
He said that this was done by companies, parastatals, NGOs and individuals advertising and marketing themselves or their products or services.
“This is a planning area and it requires that all such developments be made in-accordance with provisions in the Town and Country Act,” said Motlogelwa.
He stated that permission to erect billboards and sign boards is valid for a renewable period of 2 years.
“The billboard owners or the advertisers may apply for renewal, which can also be unsuccessful in some instances,” said Motlogelwa.
He said some of the billboards are placed where they obstruct road users while others are too close to other physical structures. He stated that some of the billboards have even exceeded the maximum size measurement. “Council has the right to remove those billboards if the concerned individuals do not comply with the requirements,” added Motlogelwa.
National Guidelines on advertisement and Hoarding signs regulates the positioning of billboards and signs.
According to these regulations, signs should not be placed in a manner that dominates the appearance of any site or positioned adjacent to buildings.
The regulations state that registered and licensed companies, organizations and individuals shall apply for the erection of the advertising and hoarding signs.
Signs levies are also required, ranging from P120 to P1500 per year, depending on the billboard size.
