Fibre-installations in Standerton not going smoothly everywhere

Fibre-optic installations in Standerton have brought its fair share of problems.

The Standerton Advertiser spoke to a local businessman, Mr Ernest Carelse, on Wednesday, 20 January.

Mr Carelse said the workers were laying on the grass in front of his house in Caledon Street, leaving rubbish and cigarette butts behind.

Another bone of contention is the grass that was removed and when push came to shove, he had to buy soil and grass himself, to restore the condition of the sidewalk.

The water pipes were damaged as well, preventing the sprinklers from working.

He added that the workers undertook to leave the sidewalk behind in the same condition as it was.

“I am aware that it is municipal property, but I do the upkeep.”

Mr Carelse’s sidewalk was in good condition last Wednesday.

The company involved is Telelanga (Pty) Ltd and the newspaper gave publicity to telecommunication in its December issue last year.

Telecommunication companies use optical fibre for transmission purposes and negotiation has to be entered in with a municipality for way leave, permitting work in any servitude.

A way leave agreement means a written legal agreement between them and the land or property owner.

The communications manager of the Lekwa Municipality, confirmed that Telelanga did apply for way leave.

An e-mail was sent to the general manager of Telelanga, Mr Dieter Kusel, about the time-frame of the installations, the number of workers involved, the nationality of the workers, procedures followed when a pipe was hit, whether permission has been granted, as well as asking what the benefits to the community will be.

The Telecommunications Act 103 of 1996 furthermore, regulates telecommunication infrastructure.

The e-mail of 14 December last year to Telelanga was re-sent on 20 January.

M Kusel replied the following day and apologised for the delay.

He said information will be supplied by 22 January, after internal discussions.