ICYMI: Glen Austin residents concerned about cell mast
GLEN AUSTIN – A resident and business owner is worried about the level of non-ionizing radiation he believes is directed by a cell phone mast towards his health establishment.
A Glen Austin business owner has raised concerns about a cell phone tower which was erected near his business property, without his consent and he claims that this has been a cause of his pet, staff and client’s health issues.
Mduduzi Sikhakhane, director for Concordia Lodge and Transport told the Midrand Reporter that the mast was erected in 2016 opposite his property and alleged that it has been the cause of numerous health concerns. Sikhakhane’s business was developed to provide post-operative patients a place to recuperate.
He explained that he feels obliged to have the mast removed as he believes it might cause more damage. He said that in 2019 he consulted with a private company which specialises in educating and informing the masses about the risks of radiation.
He said that a survey found that ‘both staff and recovering patients according to both Building Biology Standards and the European Academy of Environmental Medicine, are exposed to much more radiation than is considered biologically acceptable’.
The National Department of Health’s deputy director for radiation and control, Leon du Toit, stated there would be no scientific grounds to support any allegation that adverse health effects might be suffered by a responsible member of the public due to the electromagnetic fields emitted by a base station.
When the Midrand Reporter approached the City of Johannesburg’s Environmental Infrastructure Services Department about the matter, they found that there were a number of contraventions. Stanley Itshegetseng spokesperson for the MMC for the department, Mpho Moerane, said that an investigation was carried out and an application for a cell mast was submitted to the City on 7 March 2016, and it was never approved.
He added that a notice of contravention was issued on 10 December last year, to the property owner via email, to submit plans for consideration of approval or removal of the structure on-site. Mthokozisi Ndlovu, the communications and public relations manager at MTN acknowledged that the mast belongs to them.
Ndlovu said that consultation with the owners of the surrounding properties and a ward councillor notification as well as the prescribed public participation process for the site occurred from September 2015. Ndlovu said that no objections were received from the affected parties.
However, Glen Austin Residents Association chairperson, Lizl Snyman found that there was no available evidence of public participation taking place.
Ndlovu said that MTN was committed to following the processes and procedures as set out by the Spatial Planning and Land Management Use Act 16 of 2013 and any other national or local regulatory framework as required by the City of Johannesburg.
Ndlovu added that MTN was aware of the contravention notice issued, and has liaised with the site owner and City of Johannesburg on the matter, and for the ratification process. “It has been established that the building control officer’s recommendation for building plan approval was filed as approved instead of being noted as partially approved.
“This resulted in MTN building and activating the site, without all signatures on the building plan,” Ndlovu added.
Ndlovu said that they were made aware of the matter in December last year by the municipality through a contravention notice, to which MTN immediately responded and submitted all updated documents on 15 January. Details: Environment and Infrastructure Services Department stanleyi@joburg.org.za.
