The City of Johannesburg embarked on a targeted enforcement operation on January 13, 2026, aimed at combatting the alarming rise of illegal outdoor advertising throughout the metropolis. This decisive action is a response to increasing public safety concerns and a commitment to uphold municipal by-laws governing outdoor advertising practices.

The operation involved multiple City departments working collaboratively to identify and remove unauthorised advertising structures that have not only taken root unlawfully but are often connected to illegal electricity sources. This poses significant safety hazards, potentially endangering both motorists and pedestrians.