The City of Johannesburg has warned political parties and independent candidates to remove their election campaign posters or face a R500 penalty for every poster left behind after the prescribed deadline.
In a media statement issued on 9 November 2026, the municipality called on all political parties and candidates who contested the recent Local Government Elections to urgently remove their campaign materials across the metro.
The City said all election posters and campaign materials must be removed within the legally prescribed 14-day period following the conclusion of the elections.
Political parties that fail to comply risk having their posters removed by municipal teams, with the costs charged to the responsible parties.
“The City will issue a prescribed penalty fee of R500 per poster directly to the non-compliant political party to recover removal costs,” the municipality stated.
Political parties face enforcement action
The removal of election campaign materials is regulated under Section 28 of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality Outdoor Advertising By-laws of 2009.
Under the regulations, political parties are given 14 days to remove their campaign materials after an election.
If posters remain beyond this period, the municipality will issue a formal notification giving the responsible party a specified timeframe to remove them.
Parties that fail to comply with the final notice risk having their posters removed and impounded by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s (JMPD) By-law Unit.
City warns against election campaign litter
The municipality has raised concerns about election posters left on public infrastructure, warning that they contribute to littering, compromise road safety and make public spaces unsightly.
“Political parties are urged to demonstrate civic responsibility by proactively cleaning up the public spaces they utilised during the election campaign,” the statement reads.
The City said the enforcement measures are intended to protect municipal infrastructure, reduce visual pollution and ensure that public spaces remain clean and orderly.
Political parties and independent candidates are therefore being urged to take responsibility for removing their campaign materials before facing financial penalties.
