Latest news with #Section50
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Billboard battle intensifies as outdoor ad industry accuses Sanral of defying court order
The outdoor advertising industry has hit back at the South African National Roads Agency's accusation that all billboards along the R21 in Ekurhuleni are illegal. The dispute over hundreds of allegedly illegal billboards along the R21 between Joburg and OR Tambo International Airport has escalated. The outdoor advertising industry is now accusing the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) of disregarding a court case, misleading the public and unfairly tarnishing the reputation of legitimate businesses that contribute significantly to the City of Ekurhuleni's coffers. A recent Daily Maverick exposé revealed Sanral's position that not a single billboard along the freeway is legal – a claim the agency continues to stand by. However, Angelo Tandy, chairperson of Out of Home Media South Africa (OHMSA), the industry's umbrella body, says Sanral has no jurisdiction over the boards since they fall within Ekurhuleni's boundaries. He bases this claim on a recent court case, HMKL 3 Investments (Pty) Ltd v Sanral, in which the North Gauteng High Court found that Sanral's authority did not extend into municipal urban areas governed by their own advertising bylaws. 'The judgment made clear that where municipalities have promulgated advertising bylaws, Sanral's powers fall away,' said Tandy. 'The court found that Sanral's Section 50 regulations do not apply in urban areas with municipal control and Sanral's appeal was never successful.' In that case, HMKL had sought an urgent interdict to stop Sanral from erecting a toll gantry on the N1 that would block visibility of its billboards. Sanral argued that the boards were illegal under the National Roads Act. But the court ruled that since the signs fell within the City of Tshwane's jurisdiction, Sanral had no regulatory power. Yet Ekurhuleni itself, which in July 2025 issued a deadline for the billboard owners to regularise by 4 August, confirmed that most billboards within its boundaries are illegal, including those on private property erected without permission. The City further confirmed that no outdoor media operators had complied with the deadline or the requirements, and the City would proceed with issuing notices to those owners whose billboards remain unregularised. Systemic challenges Beyond jurisdictional disputes, the industry is battling broader systemic challenges, says Tandy. Applications for billboard permits are reportedly stuck in bureaucratic limbo for years, despite clear bylaws meant to streamline the process. 'This contradicts the spirit and letter of outdoor advertising legislation and stymies legitimate business.' Transformation remains another sore point. 'New entrants into the OOH advertising sector face disproportionate barriers, from inefficient public administration to a lack of municipal support,' he said. Some policy proposals, he added, are 'draconian' and threaten to undermine rather than support transformation goals. OHMSA also took aim at the City of Ekurhuleni's recent clampdown on billboards, in particular, a high-profile campaign by the mayoral committee member for development planning and real estate, Nomadlozi Nkosi, who, they claim, 'defaced' three allegedly illegal boards with red stickers in July. 'We are concerned with the process,' said Tandy. 'There was no transparency or fairness. OHMSA was not consulted, despite being a key stakeholder in the sector.' He stressed that proper consultation could have led to a resolution, as has occurred in other metros. 'Instead, OHMSA has been consistently excluded from discussions on tariffs, bylaw amendments and other vital matters.' Nevertheless, OHMSA says it remains open to engagement. 'We are committed to working with government and municipalities to drive transformation in line with national empowerment policies,' Tandy said. 'We want to support SMMEs and build strong, collaborative relationships across the sector.' Other industry players have come on board to argue that court rulings have consistently limited Sanral's reach in urban areas. David Malherbe, an industry representative, is demanding an apology from the roads agency. 'Where a municipality had promulgated regulations in an urban area of control, Sanral does not have authority to regulate. So they must explain why they issue press releases claiming every single sign on the R21 freeway is illegal when they very well know they have no standing over the regulating of such signs. 'Unless they can provide court evidence showing that this judgment was overturned, then their comments may be considered defamatory and damaging to both operators and advertisers and they should apologise,' he said. He added that alleged corruption within the municipality's planning department had further complicated matters. Sanral, City resolute Sanral, however, is standing firm, saying the court case has no bearing on the Sanral Act. It argues that until a Constitutional Court ruling says otherwise, it retains enforcement powers and will act accordingly, including issuing removal notices, seeking interdicts and recovering costs from noncompliant billboard owners, arguing that its authority remains intact. Sanral spokesperson Lwando Mahlasela said: 'There is no high court decision declaring sections 48 or 50 of the Sanral Act unconstitutional or invalid. Until such time, the Act stands and applicants cannot ignore it merely because they hold municipal approval.' Sections 48 and 50 give the agency sweeping powers over infrastructure and advertising related to national roads, prohibiting any unauthorised structures or advertisements visible from these routes, even within urban areas, he added. Sanral maintains that many billboards are structurally unsound, obstruct road signs and endanger motorists. 'They compromise visibility and road safety, and deprive both Sanral and municipalities of rightful revenue,' Mahlasela added. Rent for a high-visibility sign along a national road can reportedly reach R400,000, with Sanral and municipalities expecting a 20% revenue share from advertisers, money which seldom reaches the City's or Sanral's coffers. City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the deadline of 4 August given by the mayoral committee member had come and gone and 'as of now, no billboard operators have fully complied with the requirements'. 'The industry is currently in the process of compiling and submitting its renewal applications. Engagements with relevant stakeholders are ongoing,' he added. 'The City will proceed with issuing notices to operators whose billboards remain unregulated. These notices will require the operators to either bring their billboards into compliance or remove them, in line with applicable regulations.' DM
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Former CM Bhupesh Baghel's son Chaitanya sent to judicial custody in Chhattisgarh liquor scam case
RAIPUR : The special PMLA court on Tuesday remanded Chaitanya Baghel—son of senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel—to 14 days of judicial custody in a money laundering case linked to the alleged multi-crore liquor scam. Chaitanya, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 18 following searches at his residence in Bhilai (which he shares with his father), was presented before the court of additional district and sessions Judge Damarudhar Chouhan upon the expiry of his five-day long ED custody. Saurabh Kumar Pande, the ED counsel, told reporters that during his remand, Chaitanya was questioned extensively and confronted with various documents and statements. 'He was confronted and conceded at many points. Since no significant questioning remained, the agency requested the court to place him in judicial custody,' Pande said. The court agreed and sent Chaitanya to jail till August 4. If needed, further questioning can be undertaken with court permission, he added. The ED has accused Chaitanya of 'handling' more than Rs 1,000 crore of illicit funds generated through the alleged liquor syndicate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Took 1 Teaspoon Before Bed – Her Belly Was Gone in a Week Hollywood News | USA Click Here Undo According to the agency, Rs 16.7 crore of this 'proceeds of crime' was used to develop a real estate project under his firms. 'Chaitanya Baghel was in receipt of proceeds of crime worth Rs 16.70 crore. These funds were intermingled with his real estate ventures and directly utilised in project development,' the agency stated. Chaitanya's counsel Faizal Rizvi told reporters that it's the first time that the arrest has been made without summon under Section 50 of PMLA and without 'listening' to him. Since 2016 ED has been active in this state but it's the first example a person has been arrested without notice. 'We know the condition of jails in this state, hence, we have applied for Chaitanya's security inside jail,' Rizvi said. Bhupesh Baghel , reacting to his son's arrest, accused the central government of using investigative agencies to target opposition leaders. He maintained, however, that he had faith in the judiciary and would fully cooperate. The former CM alleged that the timing of the ED action was deliberate—aimed at deflecting attention from the 'illegal tree felling' for coal mining projects, an issue Congress was set to raise in the state assembly last week. The ED claims the alleged liquor scam caused a 'massive loss' to the state exchequer while lining the pockets of beneficiaries within an illegal liquor syndicate to the tune of over Rs 2,500 crore. The financial irregularities were allegedly carried out between 2019 and 2022 during the Congress-led government under Bhupesh Baghel. In January, the ED arrested several high-profile figures in connection with the same case. These include former Excise Minister and Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma, liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar, former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Indian Telecom Service officer Arunpati Tripathi, and others. The case was originally registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW)/Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on January 17, 2024—about a month after the BJP returned to power in the state, defeating the Congress in the 2023 Assembly elections. The FIR named 70 individuals and companies, including Lakhma and former Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand. With the matter now in court and Chaitanya Baghel in judicial custody, the case is poised to remain a focal point in Chhattisgarh's heated political discourse—one that could have serious implications for the opposition's credibility and the BJP government's anti-corruption narrative.
Irish Independent
15-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Gardaí arrest woman (40s) as part of Stephen O'Meara murder investigation
The woman, aged in her 40s, was arrested this afternoon on suspicion of murder and is currently detained pursuant to Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at a Garda Station in County Wexford. Two men have been convicted for offences relating to this murder, but gardaí issued a fresh appeal in 2023 as they believed there may have been others involved in his killing. In 2012, Michael Dickenson of Darragh Park, Wicklow town, was jailed for life after being convicted of Stephen's murder. In 2013, Clement Byrne of Clonattin Village, Gorey, Co Wexford was sentenced to eight-years imprisonment for his role in Stephen's death. Gardaí report that on August 6, 2009, at approximately 6pm, Stephen left his home at Rose Hill, Wicklow town, and walked down through different walkways along the back of the town to Marlton road, where he was collected by a silver Nissan Pulsar car and driven through Redcross to Ballydonnell Wood. At the woods, gardaí believe there was a group of suspects present. Stephen was then fatally injured, shot and buried in a shallow grave at the woods. On August 8, 2009, Stephen was reported missing to gardaí by his partner. Gardaí began a missing person investigation, later upgraded to murder, which resulted in the two individuals being convicted for offences relating to the murder. Gardaí have continued their investigation since. In 2023, Crimecall interviewed Stephen's parents John and Veronica who appealed for the public to assist with the garda investigation into their son's death and to help them find closure. Gardaí at the time said they would like to thank Stephen's parents for the strength that they have shown.
Powys County Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Llanelwedd school receives glowing Church in Wales report
THE headteacher at a primary school near Builth Wells says the school is really proud of an inspection conducted by the Church in Wales. Llanelwedd Church in Wales Primary School was described as 'thriving' by inspectors who visited just before Easter. The Church in Wales visited the school, located in the village community on the outskirts of Builth, on April 1, and it was the subject of a Section 50 report. 'We are really proud of the findings of the inspector during her inspection before the Easter holiday,' said headteacher Adam Shearman. 'The report identifies the strong relationships built in school and the strong links between the school and the wider community. 'I am really happy that the inspector commented 'The strong family ethos with a focus on children's well-being is evident throughout Ysgol Llanelwedd '. 'I am very proud of our school and everybody who contributes to making it the special place that it is.' Highlights of the report, conducted by Jennie Downes, included describing Llanelwedd as having 'a warm and child-friendly Christian distinctiveness'. 'Llanelwedd Church in Wales Primary School is a thriving village school,' she said. 'It is a place where children are encouraged to flourish, to take pride in themselves and their community. The school maintains a positive link with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.' Her report went on to add: 'Creating a culture of positive relationship and connection is integral to Ysgol Llanelwedd. Christian values are holistically embedded through every aspect of school life. 'Encouraged to develop a sense of personal pride in themselves and their role in the local, national and global community, learners are developing as responsible, ethical citizens. 'All in the school community are confident and proud of their friendly school and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. 'Throughout the school, learners of all ages understand and respect their interdependent relationship with nature. 'The co-operative ethos is evident when the children of Ysgol Llanelwedd work together to problem-solve. 'Throughout the school, all learners are encouraged to be inquisitive and creative. The values of responsibility, communication and cooperation are particularly visible during break-times when learners engage in imaginative play together.' The inspection follows a previously glowing report from inspectors Estyn in 2023. Established strengths, according to the report, include the strong Christian ethos built on respect, relationship and a genuine commitment to allow children to flourish; and the development of big questions and thematic learning. Llanelwedd was given just three recommendations by the inspector, including: to share its good practice with other schools; incorporate RE teaching within its themes rather than standalone RE lessons; and to work with the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon to elect an additional church governor. Mr Shearman said he is 'particularly proud' of the report as it will be his last in post – he is leaving for another post in Powys in the summer. 'After 15 very happy years I am leaving at the end of this term. I am very proud of Llanelwedd school and everything we have achieved,' he said.
Powys County Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Hard work recognised as Powys school earns glowing report
Montgomery Church in Wales School is celebrating a glowing report. The Powys school had its Section 50 inspection by the Church in Wales before Easter. The report comments on strengths such as the school's welcoming, caring and inclusive Christian learning environment; the passionate Christian vision of the headteacher, which is very well supported by staff and governors; exceptional pastoral care and support shown to all pupils; and strong intergenerational links with the church and local community. Inspector Neil Roberts, talked about all sorts of exciting opportunities the children had been able to take part in, including joint lessons with children in Kunágota, singing in the Plygain service at St Nicholas', Dydd Gwener Gwych activities, Open The Book stories, and taking on leadership and committee roles. Headteacher Sarah Brian said, 'The report captures our school ethos really well
