MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – The "poster war" in the run-up to this year's general election continued this week.

Last week, the actions of the local municipality were put under the spotlight when residents and opposition parties questioned their motives for placing posters highlighting the municipality's achievements over the last three years alongside the ANC's election campaign posters. In reaction to this, the Municipal Manager, Mr Reuben Rambado, stated that the posters, printed in the ANC's colours, had nothing to do with the elections and were merely printed as part of the country's celebration of ten years of democracy.

This week, an ANC poster appearing on an electronic advertising board at the local Magistrate's Court was the reason for widespread public outcry. Residents questioned the legality of the board in the Magistrate's Court's corridors and stated that the board would call the court's objectiveness into question as it is expected to function in an objective and transparent manner, free of any political influence.

To find out more about the legality of the poster, the Independent Electoral Commission's provincial electoral officer, Rev Zwo Nevhutalu, was asked for comment. Nevhutale, however, stated that the IEC could do nothing about the issue, as it falls within the responsibility of the Justice Department.

Upon further inquiry, the office head of the local Magistrate's Court, magistrate Sakkie Scheepers, said that he saw the placement of the political advertisement as totally unacceptable. He also stated that the poster had been placed on the board without his knowledge.

The same ANC posters were also placed on electronic advertising boards at the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court and the Magistrate's Courts at Westdene and Bronkhorstspruit. In all instances, the company responsible for the placement of the posters goes by the name of TGMC from Johannesburg. In the case of the Pretoria- North Magistrate's Court, the chief magistrate has already written to the said company, asking for the removal of the poster.

On Wednesday, the administrative head of the local Magistrate's Court, Mr George Mahlangu, confirmed that the placement of the poster was not permitted. He said that, according to a national circular, no political party is allowed to advertise inside a government building, such as the Magistrate's Court. Mahlangu said that he had already reported the matter to his regional office. He added that, although he does not have the authority to remove the poster immediately, the poster would be removed. Mahlangu said he did not know who had authorised the placement of the political poster.