The BNF parliamentary candidate for Gaborone North, Patrick Kgoadi, also condemned the action taken by the GCC, saying the officers were selective in removing posters. He asked why the office targeted an election year to enforce the by-law. He alleged that some of the posters hanging right in front of the GCC have been there for a long time, questioning why the bye-law enforcement office chose this week to start removing the posters.
The BNF councillor for Moselewapula Ward, Lemme Kgopa, said the Council Town Planning Committee, was not consulted prior to removing the posters. He asserted that the committee had agreed that no posters were to be removed.
He said the council had proposed to outsource the service of granting authority to put up posters and advertisements around the city to an advertising company. But the proposal was declined by the committee, on the basis that it would impact negatively on opposition parties who lack finances.
He argued that the removal of posters was selective and targeted at individuals.
“The first person to put up posters was Saleshando. Where was the law?” he asked.
A BDP member also criticised the by-law office, saying the timing and procedures taken were not in line. He said the GCC should first consider their capacity prior to enforcing by laws. He asked whether the GCC has the manpower to go around checking unauthorised and inappropriately placed posters to effectively enforce the by- law. He argued that the public should be educated on the issue prior to taking steps against people who may be misinformed.
The Principal by-law officer, Calvin Badubi, briefly explained that when removing the posters, his office was acting in terms of the Townships Act Cap. 40:02 which states that: “Any person who wants/intends to put up a poster for any purposes, either for advertising, information at any City, Town or Councils or Township Authority must be authorised by the City/Town Clerk of that Authority”.
He explained that failure to seek authorisation from council, would lead to the posters being removed. He said that posters placed inappropriately would be removed regardless of whether they are authorised or not. He added that this would be done to avoid inconvenience to members of the public. He explained that posters placed inappropriately could be a traffic hazard. He gave examples of posters placed across traffic lights and road traffic signs.
