Residents at loggerheads over cellular tower

Cellular phone tower woes continue for Bushwillow Park residents.

There seems to be no end in sight as some residents are against the installation of a mast in the estate and others are in favour for the installation.

In August, the NEWS reported that the installation of a Vodacom mast had been delayed due to objections by some residents.

At the time, Mr Bongo Futuse, a senior specialist in the media relations department of Vodacom, said the installation of the mast had not been put on hold but was delayed due to objections.

“We have used the time to engage further with the residents, to the point of sending them proof of approvals via e-mail, so as to satisfy them that we followed all the correct processes in installing the mast,” said Mr Futuse.

It has since emerged in recent weeks that another service provider, MTN, is also looking to install a mast in the same estate, to which some residents have objected.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said there were still disagreements between some residents and the estate’s directors regarding the installation of an MTN mast.

Another homeowner said residents received an email from the board of directors stating that they had received the residents’ concerns with regards to the cellular phone mast and they had taken notice of them.

According to the letter, no masts had been approved at this stage and the board was still in consultation with the service providers and residents. They would be advised if the situation changed.

The NEWS requested comment from the manager of the estate as well as MTN, however no comment was received at the time of going to print.

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