Bright billboards, dark consequences

If you’ve driven along Winnie Mandela Drive or the N1 corridor recently, you’ve probably noticed just how dominant outdoor advertising has become in Johannesburg’s wealthiest and busiest zones.

Now, the City of Johannesburg is drawing a hard line.

On Tuesday, 27 January 2026, municipal officials launched another enforcement operation targeting illegal outdoor advertising, focusing on both static and digital billboards that flout city by-laws and, in some cases, steal electricity.

Six illegal advertising structures were affected in the latest operation, including large, high-impact billboards positioned along major traffic arteries.

Why digital billboards are in the spotlight

City officials say digital advertising structures have become a growing concern, not just visually but technically.

Unlike traditional billboards, digital screens demand large amounts of power. During the operation, inspectors uncovered unlawful electricity connections, including direct draws from the city’s electrical network.

According to the city, these illegal connections pose serious risks:

• Strain on already-pressured electrical infrastructure

• Safety hazards to nearby communities

• Direct electricity theft

Some digital billboards were also found to be operating with unapproved or non-compliant electricity meters, while others had no formal registration at all.

The city warned that illegal advertising structures undermine public safety and cause long-term damage to municipal infrastructure.

Another day, another illegal billboard removal. 🏗️🚫

​We’re back at it, reclaiming our skyline and ensuring that our streets aren’t cluttered with unpermitted structures. If it’s not compliant, it’s coming down, one frame at a time. #JoburgByLaws ^TM pic.twitter.com/httJB17pgK

City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) January 27, 2026

The rules advertisers are expected to follow

Johannesburg has reiterated that outdoor advertising is allowed, but only if companies follow the rules.

Advertisers are required to:

• Register advertising structures with the city

• Obtain the necessary municipal approvals

• Open a City Power account

• Install an approved electricity meter

• Pay for the power they consume

Failure to comply, the city said, will result in enforcement action and the latest operation signals that this warning is no longer theoretical.

Part of a wider clean-up effort

City officials say this isn’t a once-off raid, but part of a months-long campaign to rein in the spread of unlawful advertising across Johannesburg.

Musah Makhunga, CEO of the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), described illegal outdoor structures as a serious and growing problem.

He said these installations compromise public safety, disrupt infrastructure planning, and deprive the city of much-needed revenue at a time when service delivery remains under pressure.

“This operation reflects a firm stance against non-compliance and a renewed commitment to enforcing by-laws without fear or favour,” Makhunga said.

Key highlights from today’s operation:

Targeted Areas: High-impact billboards along Winnie Mandela Drive and the N1 corridor were affected.

Infrastructure Removed: City Power removed illegal meters and disconnected signs completely absent from City records.

Safety First:… pic.twitter.com/qko5kYJaiz

City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) January 27, 2026

‘Reclaiming public space’

Executive Mayor Dada Morero echoed the message, saying the companies behind illegal billboards often violate both advertising by-laws and engineering certification standards.

He framed the crackdown as part of a broader effort to restore order and reclaim public spaces, particularly in high-visibility areas where illegal structures have flourished.

Makhunga confirmed that the enforcement drive, launched in December 2025, will continue until all outdoor advertisers comply.

“The City is sending a clear message,” he said. “Unauthorised structures that bypass safety standards and drain municipal revenue will not be tolerated.”

A visible shift on Johannesburg’s streets

On social media, reactions have been mixed. Some residents have welcomed the move, saying illegal billboards add visual clutter and pose safety risks. Others have questioned why enforcement seems concentrated in affluent corridors, a reminder of the city’s ongoing struggle to balance regulation, revenue and fairness.

What’s clear is that Johannesburg is no longer turning a blind eye.

For advertisers, the era of plugging into the grid unnoticed and advertising without approval appears to be coming to an end.

{Source: BusinessTech}

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