The City of Cape Town has drafted a new by-law to stop the spread of graffiti within its area of jurisdiction.

Once approved, the new by-law will enable the City to prohibit the spread of graffiti via the establishment of a specialised Graffiti Control Unit. It will also provide for the removal of graffiti and the restoration of surfaces affected by it.

Currently, City directorates and City Improvement Districts (CIDs) remove graffiti at their own cost. However, these efforts do not include enforcement action, and therefore cannot keep pace with its spread.

The by-law, which is available here, at all public libraries and at subcouncil offices, is now open for public comment. Members of the public are requested to submit their comments in writing by fax or e-mail to Anton Visser on 021 400 5923 or anton.visser@capetown.gov.za before 8 September 2009.

Graffiti is an act of vandalism that impacts negatively on residents and visitors and is generally associated with elements of crime and drug abuse. It also damages Cape Town’s scenic appeal, and costs the City thousands of Rands to remove. Tourists, a major driver of the local economy, are detracted by graffiti, which is why the City is stepping up its anti-graffiti fight.

In effect, the by-law will provide the City with the necessary ‘teeth’ to clamp down on graffiti vandals, and will include civil prosecutions, which are easier to pursue than criminal suits. It will also enable the City to claim the costs of cleaning up graffiti from perpetrators.
Every by-law in Cape Town needs to contribute to the City’s strategic objectives, which are: 

•  Shared Economic Growth and Development
• Sustainable Urban Infrastructure and Services
• Energy Efficiency for a Sustainable Future
• Public Transport Systems
• Integrated Human Settlements
• Safety and Security
• Health, Social and Human Capital Development
• Good Governance and Regulatory Reform

Full details of public participation processes, as well as ways in which members of the public will be able to access the full proposed by-law and send in their comments; will be advertised in the press and on the City’s website. Members of the public can also call Anton Visser on 021 400 2933 or email anton.visser@capetown.gov.za for more details.

To download the draft graffiti by-law, please click here: | Eng | Afr | Xho |

Once all public comments have been received, the by-law will return to the Security Portfolio Committee for refinement, after which it will be sent to Council’s Mayoral Committee (Mayco) for debate and amendment. Mayco will also ascertain whether it complies with the constitutional requirement for the publication of by-laws for public comment. Once this is established, it will be recommended to Council for approval.