Legal action looms over removal of ‘welcome to the most race-regulated country in the world’ billboard
Trade union Solidarity has threatened legal action against the City of Johannesburg if it does not restore its advertising banner on the M1 highway.
This follows the banner, which read “Welcome to the most race-regulated country in the world,” being removed within hours of being erected on Monday, 10 November.
The trade union has demanded that the city provide it with a written explanation for its actions and identify the officials responsible.
It stated that it regards the removal of the banner, which it deems private property, as an illegal action that “amounts to censorship.”
Furthermore, it argues that its removal occurred “simply because it challenged government policy—something that is inexcusable in a democratic system.”
However, Johannesburg’s Public Safety Department argues that it was well within its rights, with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) simply enforcing municipal by-laws.
Solidarity’s deputy chief executive, Anton van der Bijl, said that a recognised advertising company erected the banner.
“The banner’s removal demonstrates a willingness by the government to use state power to silence public voices that disagree with it,” he said.
“With the G20 Summit in Johannesburg just around the corner, it is clear to us that this action is politically motivated.”
“Freedom of speech is being attacked to cover up inconvenient truths that have come to light. Moreover, it is being done in an illegal manner.”
Solidarity also demanded that the city cease any further interference with its campaign material, compensate for the material and production of the removed banner, and provide a written apology for the city council’s actions.
Erected on the M1 highway, an airport route, the campaign was timed to coincide with the G20 world leaders summit hosted in South Africa.
The provocative campaign has ignited fierce debate ahead of South Africa’s historic hosting of the G20, with the Presidency dismissing it as the work of a “tiny right-wing minority” intent on embarrassing the country.
“Gone!”
The billboards quickly sparked controversy. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi posted that “racists are loud and clear!”
“They hate transformation and are busy vulgarising our efforts to build an all-inclusive country that recognises the injustices of apartheid.”
“We must defeat them. To do that, we must bury our petty differences, unite like minds, and push them back!” he added.
MMC of Public Safety in the City of Johannesburg, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, also replied to the poster, saying, “We will remove them. JMPD, get ready; we have no time for racists.”
His department oversees the JMPD and, ultimately, bylaws. Hours later, Lesufi posted a video of the billboard being removed with the caption, “Gone!”
This garnered mixed reactions. Critics argue that this sets a dangerous precedent for free speech, while proponents say that the poster was “racially insensitive.”
Solidarity chairperson Dirk Hermann said that the billboard “was unlawfully vandalised and removed by the ANC-led Johannesburg City Council.”
The union argues that the action to remove the banner was unlawful, an act of vandalism, censorship, and an attempt to suppress free speech.
Additionally, it claimed that the removal was an attempt to hide government policies on racial quotas, affirmative action, and broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE).
“We will not give the ANC their way. The world must know that South Africa is the most race-regulated country in the world.”
Some critics, like Redi Tlhabi, supported the removal, calling it “misinformation and propaganda.”
Jaco Kleynhans, Public Liaison at Solidarity, replied to Tlhabi that the “banner was on a paid advertising space. All approved. The message was factually correct and in no way propaganda.”
Tshwaku replied on social media, saying, “We will never approve such racist nonsense.”
MMC Tshwaku’s spokesperson, Alex Mandlazi, told Newsday that the JMPD has every right to implement bylaws, citing Chapter Six of the Advertising By-law, 2021.
According to the bylaw, the City may order the removal of advertising signs that are non-compliant, unsafe, detrimental, or located on municipal property needed for public use, following due notice procedures.
Solidarity argues that none of the bylaws were violated.
Although there has been no confirmation from Lesufi, it has been reported that the Gauteng Premier was involved in fast-tracking the removal.
Solidarity has promised to continue its campaign for race regulation, with plans to produce additional posters.
Another one had already gone up following the removal of the first, to which Tshwaku said, “It will be gone. JMPD enforces bylaws with other departments, in this case, planning.”
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If it was factually accurate, surely an urgent court action/interdict must be the solution.