As election campaigning approaches, political parties in Hartbeespoort are being reminded that public poles and other visible structures cannot simply be treated as open advertising space. The placement of election posters is governed by municipal outdoor advertising rules, which determine where campaign material may be displayed, how it may be secured and whether permission is required.
The warning comes as streets across South Africa typically change during election periods, with lampposts, electricity poles and other prominent locations covered in party material. While the posters are intended to attract voters’ attention, their placement can create disputes over public space, private property and the safe use of municipal infrastructure.
Not every pole is available
A pole standing alongside a road does not automatically qualify as a legal site for a campaign poster. Municipal by-laws may allow political material on certain designated streetlight poles, but this is subject to conditions. Other locations may carry restrictions on the size of posters, the number that can be placed in one area and whether prior approval is needed.
That means parties and campaign workers should establish the applicable requirements before beginning an installation drive in Hartbeespoort. A failure to check the rules could result in posters being placed where they are not permitted, while material attached to a private fence or other privately owned property can amount to an unauthorised use of someone else’s space.
- Check the relevant municipal outdoor advertising by-laws before putting up campaign material.
- Use only locations where political posters are permitted and follow any conditions on size and quantity.
- Keep posters away from electrical infrastructure, traffic signals and other municipal equipment.
- Do not attach material to private fences or property without permission.
Safety must come before visibility
The most immediate concern is safety. Campaign workers should not climb electricity structures or interfere with equipment while trying to secure a poster. Materials placed near electrical infrastructure, traffic signals or other municipal installations can create hazards and may affect the operation of equipment intended to serve residents and road users.
Campaign visibility cannot justify unsafe work around electricity or traffic systems. The practical rule is straightforward: a location that exposes workers to danger or interferes with municipal equipment should not be used. Parties also need to consider how posters are attached, rather than focusing only on whether a particular pole is prominent from the road.
Responsibility after polling
The impact of campaign material does not necessarily end when voting is over. Posters that are not removed can remain on poles and roadside structures, gradually fading while continuing to form part of the streetscape. In Hartbeespoort, the continued presence of old campaign material would leave residents looking at political advertising long after the campaign itself has passed.
Removing posters promptly is therefore part of responsible campaigning. The condition of public spaces affects the appearance of neighbourhoods, while abandoned material can add to the visual clutter already experienced around roads and public infrastructure. Political parties have an interest in ensuring that their campaign work does not become a lasting burden for residents or the municipality.
For residents, the rules provide a basis for distinguishing between legitimate campaign activity and material placed in an inappropriate or unsafe location. For parties, they are a reminder that electioneering carries obligations beyond securing attention. In Hartbeespoort, the race for prominent space on streets and poles must still be conducted within municipal rules, with public safety and property rights kept in view.
