Make-shift road signs could land you in jail

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) is officially investigating the contentious road signs erected along the N1 in Louis Trichardt.

Advertising boards with signwriting on corrugated iron sheets, announcing the opening of "Makhado Inn" in Louis Trichardt, were erected at various places along the N1 recently.

The display of such advertisements on a National Road is considered a very serious offence which can lead to imprisonment.

The communications officer of SANRAL, Ms Priya Pillay, says the South African National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act (Act 7 of 1998) strictly prohibits the display of any advertisement on a national road.

"In terms of punitive measures, section 50(5) of this Act states that any person who contravenes this section of the Act is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment or a fine.

"Our route manager has been informed to investigate the matter. Road signs smaller than six square metres will summarily be removed. If it is larger, the route manager will provide SANRAL with the contact details of the responsible person. SANRAL will in turn issue a notice to remove the sign in terms of section 50(3) of the Act. If the person fails to remove the sign, SANRAL will remove it and recover the cost of the removal from the person, in terms of the Act," Pillay said.