Political parties urged to remove election posters to avoid fines

The City of Cape Town says political parties must remove all election posters and banners by midnight on Saturday, 8 June, including the string or plastic attached to streetlight poles. 

South Africa held historic polls on 29 May, and election posters must generally be removed within ten days after the election to avoid being penalised.

CITY OF CAPE TOWN URGES PARTIES TO REMOVE ELECTION POSTERS 

The metro municipality said posters that are not removed within the stipulated deadline will be removed by the City as of Monday, 10 June, at the political party’s cost of R134,10 per poster. In addition, the responsible political parties will be billed.

“The City kindly reminds political parties of the election poster removal rules that the administration shared with all in the run-up to the election. These are contained in the election rules document. Another reminder was sent on Friday, 31 May 2024.

“To recover any of the unauthorised election posters removed by the municipality, parties will need to liaise, during office hours, with the City’s Environmental Management Department officials to collect the posters,” the municipality said.

HOW MUCH DO OTHER METROS CHARGE?

In the City of Ekurhuleni political parties have until 12 June to remove all campaign material from public spaces. Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini told the Bedfordview and Edenvale News.

Dlamini explained that the removal of election posters within the grace period aligns with the city by-law, which states that posters cannot be displayed more than 14 days after an election.

“Parties are, therefore, urged to remove their election posters and any other election-related material/ illustrations by 12 June in all areas of the city,” Dlamini said.

The metro noted further that failure to comply may result in the City removing the posters themselves at a cost of R57.69 per poster, charged to the responsible party as per Schedule 19 of the 2023/24 financial year tariffs.