Johannesburg

Sunday

More sun than clouds. Pleasantly warm.

15°C
28°C

7 day forecasts

News24 User

'Time to clean up'

by
2009-05-04 10:06

Dear Editor,

Now that the election frenzy is over, and only the lavish election (read: expensive) party to come this weekend, I would like to know whether ANY of the parties that contested the elections plan to spend some cash to remove the election posters they were to eager to put up?

Or, will the posters have to hang on for dear life until they fall off and pollute our "beautiful/clean" country even further?

The party I voted for is not important, but I would like to know what the DA, ANC, UDM, Cope and the other big players plan to do about this?

I have even seen heaps of election garbage lying at now abandoned polling stations - which I find disgusting. Nice going IEC.

This makes me wonder what is more important, getting yourself into a cushy government job, or to help preserve our country?

Surely if you gave a damn, you could do both.

Maybe I'm the only one who cares?

Johan Britz

Get published on MyNews24 by sending your letter, story or column to us
Send us your news photos

Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.

Rate this story:

CTheB 5/4/2009 10:15:04 AM
As I've been riding around the Cape in the last week or so I've noticed the posters disappearing. The DA posters were the first to go, then COPE. Last I looked on the routes I travel only ANC posters were left.

Juan 5/4/2009 10:16:52 AM
I've seen people use election posters to path up holes in theire shacks! Once I saw an old faded 'a better life for all' poster keeping the rain out of a rusty shack! The irony was BLATANT. So some of these posters can be for good use after all!

Ivan 5/4/2009 10:18:28 AM
I think there is a fine the guilty parties get given if they haven't cleaned up after a specific period, if I am not mistaken.

Mark V 5/4/2009 10:19:34 AM
All parties have 10 days after the elections to remove their posters. Clearly this is not happening. Neglecting this clearly show the true character of the politicians.

joeverzi 5/4/2009 10:24:53 AM
Especially the Stop Zuma posters. My president is in the Union buildings.

JoeDirt 5/4/2009 10:24:55 AM
According to The Metro police the Parties have fourteen days after the election in which they have to remove all the posters....as for the voting station.....well it might be cleaned....eventually.

Hansie 5/4/2009 10:25:33 AM
The poor can use them as firewood. There is a winter coming up.

Leigh 5/4/2009 10:26:27 AM
No matter who you are - pollution is disgusting. We do not want to be the people who left a legacy of pollution behind...

Thembisile 5/4/2009 10:26:51 AM
Aren't they suppose to remove them ten days after the elections?

atti 5/4/2009 10:28:11 AM
perhaps we as citizens must take charge and remove the posters and hand them in to recycling. Wonder if that would be permitted. In this way the posters will be cleared out in no time. Not?

Mxolisi Selby Shabangu 5/4/2009 10:29:36 AM
I was also thinking about the same thing when I drove to work toady, the parties must clean up their mess

cuba 5/4/2009 10:30:25 AM
some guys taking down all the DA posters in Brakenhurst, so they are doing there bit, took them long enough though...

Baile 5/4/2009 10:32:16 AM
You see, you got it right when you say the party you voted for is not important cause you sure did not vote the ANC. Our legislation is very clear on what would happen to the posters after elections. For the record, the party I voted 4 is important, and therefore going to inagurate their important President to lead this country of ours. If you are that concerned Sir, go and raise this with your not important party at a branch somewhere in the Western Cape.

Mandla Mahlangu 5/4/2009 10:33:49 AM
I think all the parties need to remove their posters but if they cant, the municipalities will remove them then charge the parties. well i agree with you they are disgusting

Eles 5/4/2009 10:36:14 AM
Sorry but I pay tax money which I begrudge and the very last thing I am going to do in my limited time off is do something that someone else should be doing - we need to hold people accountable besides it is job creation for someone else to earn money to do it!

Charles 5/4/2009 10:38:11 AM
By the masses to build shacks. Altho they did not geta free house , They got a free elelction poster to build a house with !!

Big Bad Bob 5/4/2009 10:59:37 AM
The parties are required to put a deposit down before putting up posters. So they have a choice of forfeiting that deposit. One would hope that the municipality would tell them "take them down by this date, or we do it and you lose your deposit."

nthatuwa 5/4/2009 11:00:22 AM
They usually remove themselves.Thought the ANC said said they'll remove them & they'll family picnics (don't ask me if these picnics will be on the poles).Well,this was a week ago.You muct remember ANC has 3 posters on each pole.This includes the Cosatu poster.They have their work cut out.I must say,cleaning isn't really nice.Usually the winds & rains do the job & now homeless people will use them for fire & shelter during winter.

Big Bad Bob 5/4/2009 11:01:12 AM
The political parties are not the only offenders in this regard. There are posters all over Jo'burg for recently released movies (well some not so recent by now), churches, loan agencies, spiritualists, the IPL blah blah. They are all equally unsightly.

Karen 5/4/2009 11:02:34 AM
Perhaps the posters were in fact the free housing the ANC was referring to. That must be how they can promise so many houses in such a short time. I think they did promise brick houses, but to them that is just a technicality. I'm sure they'll be able to blame apartheid or the media or the counter-revolutionaries for the misunderstanding should somebody raise that small detail at some stage.

Topdog 5/4/2009 11:07:03 AM
take them down. I have a chuckle every day on my way home at the Ninja Turtle impersonation.

IandI 5/4/2009 11:07:48 AM
I'm tired of seeing politians still smiling down on me from a poster on the highway.All posters should be removed by the parties concerned. I suggest they wear surgical masks to prevent then catching swine flu from these posters(hahaha)

Zero Tolerance 5/4/2009 11:09:14 AM
funny how all the hype dies down as soon as its all over and then the broken promises start.....next week you will get your electricity, next week you will get your RDP house,and so forth and so on until the next elections when they come full steam again with the big promises :D Man now U know why I stopped paying to go watch the circus!

Sean 5/4/2009 11:09:55 AM
I see alot of posters have been removed from King williastown.Looking good.

malcolmx 5/4/2009 11:10:07 AM
...the same party that promised the most service delivery and as a result, got the most votes, will be the last to take their posters down, if they take them down at all.

Johncarlos 5/4/2009 11:10:57 AM
In my town, its mainly the DA. U wouldn't believe we live in their municipality the way they neglected their posters. Talk about 'leadership'...

Majozi 5/4/2009 11:11:16 AM
I think the jobless should remove them and sell them for recycling to make some few bucks.

Ryan 5/4/2009 11:15:33 AM
I think that the posters will be left up until the elements fade and disintegrate them over time. They should be history by the time the next election omes round.

farm boy 5/4/2009 11:16:59 AM
If posters have not been removed within ten days after the elections,the Municipality will remove them at their cost and fine the parties guilty of not removing them.There is still a lot of "STOP ZUMA" posters in and around the Cape CBD even today,the so called clean,secure bloody city.

mlungisi 5/4/2009 11:18:35 AM
All these parties forgot that they have a duty in terms of the electoral Act, and that is to remove their"now-rubish" posters since they are done pushing us with who to vote for. We are over and done with elections and therefore let us clean our land now, please people!

Joeman 5/4/2009 11:27:29 AM
This article doesn't necessarily calls for people to ridicule unfortunate black people who live in squatter camps. Why are guys behaving like children? You should know as a white person that your fav old Gov caused black people to be poor in order to enrich you. There was no need to mention party names as all are guilty for failing to remove their posters. Next time you decide to ridicule poor people think of what you benefitted while the old gov pressed the poor down.

David 5/4/2009 11:28:11 AM
Baile....you stated that the legistaion was very clear on what would happen to the posters after the elections, can you please elaborate and quote?

BLACKsoWHAT! 5/4/2009 11:32:50 AM
Suggestion: if it irritates u so much, tear it down, do your bit for the environment or shut it.

KOBUS 5/4/2009 11:33:38 AM
As far as I know the limit is ten days. I am not sure if that is ten working days or if it includes weekends as well. If it is workdays, then they have until Thursday to clean up. Whenever the deadline is, if there is still posters up afterwards, they get a fine. So if you don't like a party and you see their posters still up - report them and then feel better :P

857 5/4/2009 11:37:21 AM
jhb is filthy as it is. who cares about the stupid posters. African city = filthy . Get used to it, will only get worse.

Thokozani 5/4/2009 11:37:50 AM
very said when i was in Natal last week seeing posters removers removing IFP posters, it wa like they were even afraid to take them off. Frankly speaking it's time the posters are brought down, for some of the parties they did'nt make any difference anyway.

Juan 5/4/2009 11:40:30 AM
Well, it's also the anc government that has failed to deliver MISERABLY over the past 15 years, and yes I have the FULL RIGHT to ridicule people that are still stupid enough to vote for this uneducated self-enriching scum! They are doing it to THEMSELVES!!!

CTheB 5/4/2009 11:41:26 AM
I'm guessing you're not on these comment pages much. Logical discussion and sense are almost always substituted by belittling, name-calling, etc.

Phinah 5/4/2009 11:43:36 AM
Execute their so called laws, and force this rubbishy parties to take off their posters.It starting to look like the IEC is a teethless dog, unless of cause if all their employees's contracts actually expire the moment they declare election results. Well I guess Bam is actually sepnding her big bonus for a stellar performance.

Poloyatonki 5/4/2009 11:45:17 AM
I was in Somerset west this morning only DA posters can be seen on the poles, now my question is if they take so long to remove their posters how long will they take to deliver services.

AJ 5/4/2009 11:45:47 AM
I saw DA posters coming down in North Riding on the weekend, only VF and ANC left.

Master Yoda 5/4/2009 11:46:19 AM
The Municipality must give the task of removing posters to jobless people that we everyday on the corners looking for work. The Municipality must pay each individual R1/poster and then charge the Parties R1.50/poster. Now there is an idea!

Point Blank 5/4/2009 11:47:03 AM
Now we "questioning" the ethics of parties because they left a poster on the pole. Good grief you guys are so immature I think even a new born baby has more maturity then you lot...grow up and do something about it you useless lot. Good at moaning but useless as a citizen...

MissLeds 5/4/2009 11:47:42 AM
Don say the ANC is not keeping its promises!

andrew 5/4/2009 11:50:32 AM
This was not about race, why make it about that? Whether it's Cope, DA, ANC, FF+ or ACDP, the posters must go! Or they should get prettier politicians so we at least have something to look at. :-)

Point Blank 5/4/2009 11:50:45 AM
So you another one who thinks white people are rich? Then what about rich black people? Did they also benefit from apartheid?

AJ 5/4/2009 11:51:32 AM
You are really trying desperately hard to dislike that party aren't you. Please keep some perspective. As unsightly as it is I would rather they were up a few days extra than someone rip off a housing fund for 100 million.

Karen 5/4/2009 11:52:00 AM
So apartheid is to blame for the poor, isn't Sexwale and Ramaphosa also black, how did they get so rich? Whats your excuse now for being poor now that white people are the disadvantaged? Still the legacy of apartheid? Shame you really have so many burdens, if only life was as easy for you as it is for the white man. Wake up man!! Life is tough for everybody, the difference is how you deal with the challenges. If you are going to sit around and cry all you will get is tissues.

Ali 5/4/2009 11:52:13 AM
What the hell are you smoking dude?Did you read the article properly?????And that same old story about white people making black people poor...did you know JZ's inauguration is costing in the region of 75 MILLION rand????BTW...I AM BLACK...but facts are facts...black people are NOT poor today because of white people...its cos our govt are NOT doing enough to help the majority..period...

Poloyatonki 5/4/2009 11:56:11 AM
You are so correct, Injustices of the past thats why our problems will never end

dhv 5/4/2009 12:04:08 PM
If you dont understand the article, then it would be best not to comment on it. thanks.

David 5/4/2009 12:11:35 PM
I have noticed the posters are coming down in my neighborhood, but while the poster disappear there are still cable ties on all the poles. I don't suppose that counts huh?

esther 5/4/2009 12:11:51 PM
Of course I am not surprised that the western cape has started the clean up operation, thanks to the mayor who knows how to deal with people, unlike other Mayors who are in it for personal gain.

PHILA 5/4/2009 12:14:43 PM
I heard Helen Zille say on the ever biased 702 that the IEC cannot run a bath so she does not expect them to run credible elections. Now that the IEC has proven its capability maybe its time for Helen Zille and her DA to CLEAN UP and SHUT UP. Her campaign was not worth it afterall,she failed to STOP ZUMA.

Sinudeity 5/4/2009 12:18:04 PM
Yeah, and now we think about how the ANC elites keep benefiting in the new government. At the expensive of the 'previously oppresses', and 'previously advantaged'. At the cost of the poor. The excitement of having JZ in your township, listening, and believing in his promises, and now, not seeing him again for 5 years.

Guy 5/4/2009 12:40:41 PM
Next time you are in traffic, have a peek at the ratio of black to white in Hummers, blinged up double cabs, big beemers and Mercs. Then sit back and have a good think about what and who to blame. Joeman, Joemoer.

Jubs 5/4/2009 12:48:15 PM
Collect them ALL and put them back up in four years time. It might make us laugh or cry, but it will definitely force us to think and hopefully mature. I am positive, we will learn and grow into better people (including me).

BLACKsoWHAT! 5/4/2009 12:50:32 PM
DO NOT ridicule the poor it is not your place to do so. All political parties are guilty in this regard find other ways to conduct your usual whiiiiiiine.

Glock 22 c 5/4/2009 1:06:18 PM
Its free to open your eyes . You dont have to be rich to use your brain. Long gone are the times thet the white's are the rich in SA.I play a game called spot a white man in a hummer and I take you for dinner. Wanna play ?

Johncarlos 5/4/2009 1:10:48 PM
Just as with other parties, I have a democratic right to criticize the DA, whom I pay my tax to and expect service. We are discussing election posters right now. I'd like to stick to the topic.

Stix 5/4/2009 1:16:33 PM
My word your a pathetic bunch. Educate yourself and stop looking for freebies. I am not white but i CHOSE to educate myself and find a decent job. Yes, some of us actually do work. Apartheid is over, genuine. It will remain in your head for as long as you sit with your thumbs up somewhere and expect free jobs, free housing, free food..oh and freedom

Eles 5/4/2009 1:16:41 PM
If you are not happy with the progress the country has made take it up with the ANC who are useless and should have done far more too busy with ministers court cases and corrruption) - look at the terrible state of health system and education - education can breach the poverty gap. Encourage ANC to appoint credible people into positions and see the difference. Not all white people are born rich but here's our secret for free for the most part we work hard and never give up!

Sebastien 5/4/2009 1:18:11 PM
He's talking about posters and you bring up trivial drool about some overly expensive, utterly pointless *SEVENTY FOUR MILLION RAND* (read: lots of bloody money) party. Seriously, what/where/how did that suddenly come into the picture? S'cuse the pun. To put it into basic English for you: Britz meant that the party he voted for has no bearing on the article that he wrote. The matter of the posters is a concern for all parties involved. Jeeze, what the hell? Good grief.

Marty zn 5/4/2009 1:33:00 PM
as if they will clean up their mess!!!! impossible!!!!!!!!!!!!!

inside news24

Weather
Traffic
Lottery
Cpt: 17-23°C Mostly sunny. Mild. Pta: 18-30°C Tstorms early. Morning clouds. Pleasantly warm.
Jhb: 15-28°C More sun than clouds. Pleasantly warm. Bloem: 16-31°C Sprinkles. Morning clouds. Pleasantly warm.
Dbn: 18-25°C Morning clouds. Mild. PE: 16-25°C Morning clouds. Mild.
7 day forecasts...

Jobs - Find your dream job

SENIOR DEVELOPER: JAVA

Western Cape - Cape Town
Quiglies Solutions

Test automation engineer

Western Cape - Cape Town
Quiglies Solutions

Developer

Western Cape - Cape Town
Quiglies Solutions

Browse more jobs...
Register your CV...
Advertise a position
Job alert e-mails...

Cars - Search 1000's of new and used cars

AUDI

2009 Audi A3 2.0 T Sportback Manual - 24000kms
Lava Grey & Tan leather interior
R 275 000

MERCEDES-BENZ

C230K COUPE
2002
R 135,995.00

OPEL

Meriva 1.6 Club MPV
2004
R 62,990.00

CHEVROLET

Spark 0.8 5-dr
2009
R 76,899.00

Property - Find a new home

WATERVAL EAST

Single Residential R2,400,000

KWAAIWATER

Single Residential R2,500,000

WELBEDACHT

Single Residential R2,600,000

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Luxury bush escape

Book a five-star stay at Pumba Game Lodge or Richard Branson's Ulusaba Safari Lodge and save R2 000. More details!

Free Games - TOO MUCH NEWS? TAKE A BREAK!

Zuma

Play Now »

Farm Frenzy 2

Play Now »

Twenty20 Cricket

Play Now »

Bejeweled 2

Play Now »

Mahjongg Fortuna

Play Now »

More Free Games

Kalahari.net - shop online today

Great Festive Savings on Books

Up to 30% Off ALL Books. 2.3 million titles on SALE.

Sleek New iPod Range. Order Your's Now!

iPod nano 16GB - Black, Was R2,499.00 Now R2,299.00! Save R200!

Up to 40% off Fabulous Festive Flicks

46 000 DVDs and Blu-Ray on sale now! Pre-order Up and District 9!

Up to 20% off ALL Music

100s of festive new releases now in stock! Now, Bump 25, Bon Jovi & more!

1000s of Festive Toys on Sale

Lots of Toys, free gift wrap, lowest prices on Lego Mindstorm, Ben 10, Hannah Montana & more!

Hot Deal of the Day!

Up to 30% off Books

Ends midnight, 30 November

2.3 million titles on sale! New Stieg Larsson, Jeremy Clarkson, Jamie Oliver & more!

Up to 40% Off Sale on All Books, Toys, CDs, DVDs & Games!