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The City of Cape Town is removing the posters that the EFF erected illegally across the metro over the past few weeks. Furthermore, the party will be charged for the removal of these posters in accordance with the City’s Outdoor Advertising and Signage By-law. Read more below:

To date, the City has removed 400 posters in Cape Town and the charge for the removal is R514 per poster for which the EFF will be liable. At this point, the removal cost is already more than R205 000.

First off, the EFF did not have the City’s authority to erect the posters advertising their shutdown. Councillor Mzubanzi Dambuza, the EFF’s Chief Whip, was informed in February 2023 that these posters would not be allowed as it contravened Schedule 11 of the Outdoor Advertising and Signage By-law. Yet, the EFF proceeded without the City’s permission.

Leading up to 20 March 2023, City staff and a City contractor proceeded to remove as many illegal posters as possible, sometimes under escort from Law Enforcement due to threats. In some areas it was simply too dangerous to remove these posters.

The EFF still has an opportunity to remove the remaining posters and avoid the cost of their removal. 

As with any other unauthorised signage displayed in the City, the cost of removing these posters will be recovered from the EFF so that we do not spend a cent of ratepayers’ money to recover the expenses in labour, fuel, and other resources.

The City regularly undertakes proactive enforcement to remove illegal and unauthorised signs from streetlight poles, traffic signal poles, electrical or service boxes, street furniture, walls, fences, trees, and other structures. We also take action when residents report illegal signs through the City’s C3 service notification system. I encourage residents to please keep on reporting illegal posters and to provide us with the exact location so that we can remove these.

The by-law regulates outdoor advertising in a manner that facilitates economic opportunities, but is also sensitive to Cape Town’s natural and cultural environment. This is very important as each suburb has unique visual, historical and cultural value and appeal and we must protect and promote our city’s sense of place, heritage, scenic routes and tourist destinations. 

Outdoor signage must be located at appropriate locations, and this is why the by-law guides the City when we assess applications. 

I encourage all to please comply with this by-law and to submit applications for outdoor signage to the City for approval prior to installation.

Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town