Solidarity has approached the Johannesburg High Court over the removal of a controversial banner by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) earlier this week.
The banner, which was displayed on the M1 South between Smit Street and Empire Road, read: “Welcome to the most race-regulated country in the world.” Solidarity said it formed part of an awareness campaign on South Africa’s race laws ahead of the G20 summit later this month.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla explained that the banner was removed because it did not comply with the city’s bylaws. He said any signage placed in public spaces must first be approved through the city, regulated, and paid for.
Solidarity served Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and JMPD with court papers on Thursday, claiming the removal was “unlawful and politically motivated.” The case is set to be heard on Tuesday.
Dirk Hermann, CEO of Solidarity, said the banner was intended to highlight South Africa’s racial policies and criticised the government for taking the law into its own hands, undermining freedom of speech. He added that the city’s bylaws do not grant officials the authority to remove advertisements without notice, citing a previous court ruling against similar city actions in August.
Solidarity is demanding the immediate restoration of the banner or its return to them free of charge and has indicated plans to erect similar billboards across the province.
