Solidarity considers legal action against City of Johannesburg after controversial banner removal

Solidarity, a trade union, is preparing for potential legal action against the City of Johannesburg after its eye-catching campaign banners were unceremoniously removed by municipal authorities.

The large-scale billboards and banners with “Welcome to the most race-regulated country in the world” appeared on some of Johannesburg’s main roads, with Solidarity saying their campaign is designed to coincide with the high-profile summit, aiming to leverage the global spotlight on South Africa to highlight issues of racial injustice, economic decline, and governance failures.

However, the campaign has sparked controversy and drawn sharp criticism from government officials. On Monday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi wrote on X and accused the creators of the banners of seeking to undermine efforts for transformation towards an inclusive society that acknowledges the injustices of apartheid.

“Racists are loud and clear! They hate transformation and are busy vulgarising our efforts to build an all-inclusive country that recognises the injustices of apartheid. We must defeat them. To do that we must bury our petty differences and unite the like minds and push them back,” he wrote.

In response, Solidarity spokesperson Pieter Jordaan said that the municipality’s actions were unlawful and indicative of a desire to suppress messages that criticise the government.

The billboard was placed on the M1 South between Smit Street and Empire Road, and the organisation said it followed all the necessary procedures through an advertising agency.

“All indications are that the vandalism and removal of the board were unlawful…It appears that the City council itself is the criminal party that removed and damaged Solidarity’s banner. It is clear that they did not want the message to be seen,” said Jordaan.

Jordaan said they believe if the countries that will be visiting the country during the G20 summit, they would hold the South Africa accountable for violating the United Nation conventions. 

“It comes as no surprise that the ANC-led South African government would not want this message to be heard.”

Supporting the statement behind the banner, Jordaan said race laws in South Africa discriminate explicitly against minority groups, especially whites and in some cases also members of the coloured and Indian communities.

“It is also harmful to all South Africans, especially through the extensive damage it causes to our economy. Studies have shown that B-BBEE is costing the South African economy up to R290 billion per year and up to 192 000 jobs, every single year. South Africans deserve better,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, dismissed Solidarity’s actions as the work of a “tiny right-wing minority” and described the campaign as “unimportant and mindless”.

However, Solidarity remains steadfast in its determination to draw international attention to what it labels the country’s “race madness”.

It said it would also directly engage with the embassies of G20 countries. 

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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