Cell-phone providers MTN are in the process of building a cell-phone mast on 2nd Street Albertskroon and nearby residents are flabbergasted as they were allegedly never told about the project prior to commencement.
MTN has a five-year lease with Joe Gani of Gani’s Stores who owns the property where the mast is being built.
“It is very strange that none of the neighbours or community nearest to Gani’s Stores, which is Newlands, Greymont, Albertskroon and Albertsville, has any recollection of any notices to this effect and of anyone in the community being asked or informed about this,” says resident Glynis van der Berg.
“The total lack of consultation by MTN and council is not acceptable and we would like to know who gave permission for this tower to be erected without consulting the community first,” questions Glynis.
MTN SA however, states that residents were told about this development.
“The residents were notified during public participation sessions which took place from 29 July 2011 to 12 April 2012 and registered letters were sent to adjacent neighbours. MTN received no objections to the proposed erection of the base station,” says MTN SA chief technology officer Eben Albertyn.
Resident Sara Abrahams, however, says no such letters were sent through and MTN is giving untrue statements.
“I have been staying in my house since 2003 and I have never received such a letter. No one in the area that I know of received it, how come only MTN knows about this supposed letters,” she says.
“Gani’s owner’s do not live in the area so they are not going to be affected by the radiation and to top it all, they are going to receive royalties from MTN every month!!! Meanwhile myself and my family are going to be at risk,” Abrahams adds.
Another resident, Bennie van der Berg, says he is concerned that the neighbourhood will be devalued and he is worried about his health.
“Such things interfere with my hearing aid,” says Bennie who is deaf on one ear.
“It will affect a lot of people because this area is populated by old people who use hearing aids,
“Everyone in this area does not want this. We are all worried and feel we should have been consulted because we are owners of this area too,” he says.
MTN says the mast is being erected to improve coverage and capacity of the 2G and 3G network.
According to Albertyn, the choice of location was influenced by coverage complaints received from customers.
“The artificial Tree Tower is not currently erected, and is still being manufactured. We anticipate this to be erected in the coming weeks,” he concluded.
Councillor Steve Kotzé says the project was supposed to be put on hold when residents began complaining.
“I will find out why they are still building because they were supposed to wait until the matter was resolved,” he said.
Residents, did any of you receive letters from MTN telling you about the mast?
