Byo crafts new advertising by-law

Zim Now Writer

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has banned free advertising on the city’s public spaces with the exception of information on electoral issues, according to a new by-law crafted by the local authority.

Offenders of the new by-law face three months’ imprisonment or a fine.

This follows the approval of BCC’s 2022 Advertising By-laws by Local Government Minister July Moyo.

Under the new law, the public will be expected to seek authority from council first before pasting any advert on public buildings, trees and electric poles.

Putting political material in public spaces within Bulawayo by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) and political parties will only be entertained after first seeking permission from council.

Members of the public who would have been granted permission are expected to remove their material 24 hours after the event.

“It is hereby notified that the Minister of Local Government, Public Works has, in terms of section 229 of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15], approved the following by-laws made by the City of Bulawayo: These by-laws may be cited as the Advertising By-laws, 2022,” read the council minutes that contain the new by-law.

The material in question includes any poster, banner, placard, bill board, notice or device employed for the purpose of advertising

“No person shall, without the permission of the council, place, exhibit or display, or cause to be placed, exhibited or displayed, upon a road or public place any advertisement, whether— a) in a stationary position; or b) building or perimeter wall; or c) on a sandwich board, vehicle, or other movable device,” the minutes further read.

Council has the power, according to the new law, to remove material that it deems inappropriate.

“No person shall display an advert that-is (a) is immoral or offensive; (b) is likely to promote unlawful behaviour; (c) is likely to tarnish the image of the council and (d) contains hate language,” read the minutes.