Neels Kruger, Benoni AH, writes:
I stay opposite an MTN tower that has gone off power due to not paying their electricity account.
For the past five weeks, they have been using a generator that’s spewing diesel fumes into my back door.
I have written twice to them and they acknowledged with a no-reply that they would come back to me.
I have also written to the municipality about the air pollution factor.
Editor’s note: Jacqui O’Sullivan, an executive for corporate affairs at MTN South Africa, responded: “MTN can confirm that the site in question in Poplar Road in Benoni belongs to the company.
In June the Ekurhuleni metro disconnected the power supply due to outstanding payment. MTN settled the account on June 28 and submitted proof of payment to the Ekurhuleni municipality to reconnect the site which has not yet been reconnected.
We have been following up daily with the municipality to reconnect the site with no success.
As a temporary measure and to ensure residents in the area stay connected, MTN deployed a generator to the site on June 23.
At this time, particularly during the pandemic and subsequent lockdown, connectivity is crucial for medical emergencies as well as for learners and individuals working from home.
To this end, MTN decided to deploy this temporary solution.
We have asked our network department to urgently look into Mr Kruger’s matter and provide a solution.
We would like to apologise for the inconvenience this has caused to Mr Kruger and all other community members.”
According to Kruger, MTN took the generator off site on July 7 and the tower was put back on electricity.
The resident thanked the City Times for its intervention in the matter, stating “we are happy pensioners again”.
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