The City of Johannesburg has doubled down on its decision to remove a Solidarity banner that was erected along the M1 motorway, saying the action was strictly in line with its by-laws and had nothing to do with the upcoming G20 Summit.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the city said the banner had been put up unlawfully, with Solidarity failing to submit a formal application as required by the citys outdoor advertising by-laws.
The city stressed that adherence to its by-laws was essential for orderly governance. The city reaffirms its constitutional obligation to uphold the rule of law. No such application was submitted in relation to the banner in question. Instead, the banner was erected unlawfully, in direct contravention of the citys by-laws. This is the sole reason for the banners removal, city officials said in a statement.