{
  "id": 7981001,
  "title": "‘No court order obtained’: ActionSA challenges removal of Soweto billboard",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/no-court-order-obtained-actionsa-challenges-removal-of-soweto",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T08:06:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-09-17-no-court-order-obtained-actionsa-challenges-removal-of-soweto-billboard/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "ActionSA, a political party in South Africa, has challenged the removal of a billboard in Soweto, claiming that the City of Johannesburg unlawfully took it down without a court order. The billboard, featuring party leader Herman Mashaba and the slogan \"Let's Do It Again,\" was situated at a privately owned site where a third-party media buyer secured the advertising space.\n\nNational Chairperson Michael Beaumont of ActionSA stated that the party is considering legal action, including criminal charges under the Municipal Electoral Act, and a complaint to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Beaumont emphasized that the billboard's removal and subsequent damage constitute a criminal offence, potentially carrying a fine or up to 10 years' imprisonment. He also noted that these legal components are significant because the billboard was maliciously damaged during its removal.\n\nThe incident, Beaumont alleged, was initiated by the ANC Member of Municipal Council (MMC) for Economic Development, rather than municipal officials, suggesting a clear motivation behind the removal. Beaumont also tied the billboard dispute to ActionSA's campaign ahead of the November 4 local government elections, stating that the billboard, along with ActionSA's broader Joburg campaign featuring Mashaba, threatened the ANC's position in Johannesburg due to the party's perceived failures.\n\nBeaumont contrasted Mashaba's track record in Johannesburg with that of current Mayor Dada Morero, praising Mashaba's success against Morero's \"horror movie\" of a record in the city. ActionSA, according to Beaumont, will not tolerate politically motivated actions that limit political alternatives and has vowed to pursue an appropriate response through its legal teams.",
  "summary": "ActionSA says it is considering legal action after its campaign billboard was removed in Diepkloof, Soweto, alleging the City of Johannesburg had no court order authorising the removal.",
  "key_points": [
    "ActionSA challenges Soweto billboard removal without court order.",
    "Party leader Herman Mashaba's billboard removed by third-party media buyer.",
    "ANC Member of Municipal Council allegedly instigated billboard removal."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "ActionSA weighs legal action after Soweto billboard is removed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/actionsa-weighs-legal-action-after-soweto-billboard-is-removed",
        "published": "2026-09-17T10:16:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}