Joburg billboard crackdown recovers nearly R100m as city steps up by-law enforcement

By Charmaine Ndlela

The City of Johannesburg has recovered nearly R100 million in revenue after intensifying its crackdown on illegal outdoor advertising, with officials warning that enforcement operations will continue until all non-compliant advertising structures have been removed.

Inside Metros accompanied the City of Johannesburg, the Joburg Property Company (JPC), the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and City Power on Tuesday as officials removed illegally erected billboards along Republic Road and other parts of the city.

Among the billboards dismantled were advertisements for well-known brands, including Fanta, RocoMamas and Smirnoff. City officials stressed that the operation targeted illegally erected structures, not the brands being advertised.

The operation forms part of the City’s “No to Illegal Outdoor Advertising” campaign, launched in December 2025 under the leadership of City Manager Floyd Brink.

The campaign seeks to enforce the City’s Outdoor Advertising By-Laws, recover lost municipal revenue and improve public safety.

The City