Maroela Media reports that Solidarity indicated in a statement on Tuesday that, should the City of Johannesburg wish to avoid legal action over the council’s removal of the trade union’s advertising banner on the M1 highway in the city, it should restore the banner with immediate effect.

In a legal notice to the city council, Solidarity demanded a written explanation of the reasons for the removal and the identification of the officials responsible for it. Solidarity said it regarded this removal of private property as an illegal action by the city council, and maintained in the notice that it amounted to censorship as its removal took place simply because its message challenged government policy.

According to Solidarity’s deputy chief executive Anton van der Bijl, the advertising material was erected by a recognised advertising company. “The banner’s removal demonstrates a willingness by the government to use state power to silence public voices that disagree with it. With the G20 Summit in Johannesburg just around the corner, it is clear to us that this action is politically motivated. Freedom of speech is being attacked to cover up inconvenient truths that have come to light. Moreover, it is being done in an illegal manner,” said Van der Bijl.

• Read the full original of the Afrikaans report in the above regard at Maroela Media

Read too, JMPD removes Solidarity banners alleging lack of city approval, at IOL News

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