Eco-estates at war over cell mast
LANSERIA - RESIDENTS from two eco-estates near Lanseria are unhappy about the erection of an MTN cell mast on one of the eco-estates.
Although the cell mast has been erected on only one estate, residents from the neighbouring estate are also unhappy because it is actually closer to their properties. The main point of contention among residents is that they bought into their respective eco-estates to escape things like cell masts which are commonplace in the city.
Well-known environmentalist, Paul Fairall who is representing over 50 concerned residents from both estates, said that the public participation process for the erection of the cell mast is fatally flawed.
Fairall explained that when a site is developed, a strict procedure needs to be adhered to which includes environmental impact assessments and a public participation process, which have allegedly not been properly conducted.
Another issue irking residents is that the deadline for the submission of objections to the cell mast ends on 16 July, however MTN has allegedly said that they would be powering up the masts on 14 July.
“If that mast is powered before the public participation process ends, then the process for the building of the mast will go from being flawed to being fraudulent,” Fairall said.
Brandon Gombert, general manager of Capital Projects at MTN SA said that the mast is actually a temporary pole, erected as proof of concept.
“In compliance with the Town Planning Scheme, MTN has placed a notice on site and in the Government Gazette,” he said. “Such notice was placed on 18 June for a period of 28 days and people have the right to comment on the proposed rezoning until the 16 July 2014.”
Gombert said that MTN provides both fixed and mobile solutions, hence the building of a pole in the area. “Currently there is some 2G MTN coverage in the estate, which is at lower levels than required to deliver a good service throughout the estate,” he said. “In addition, the 3G coverage in the estate is extremely poor, far below the levels required to provide a good service throughout the estate.
“MTN informed the residents of the eco-estate on which the masts have been erected about the site via the Home Owners’ Association website before the pole was erected.”
