Mystery surrounds erection of MTN network poles in Glenwood

THE erection of a number of tall poles in Glenwood has raised some concern among local residents. Residents say they have been told the poles are part of a project run by MTN and Huawei.

However, residents believe they are being kept in the dark about the reason behind the erection of the poles and have discovered, through discussions with workmen at the various sites, that MTN and Huawei are in the process of putting in fibre optics and surveillance cameras.

Jo Ludik said in a matter of three weeks, one pole had been erected at the intersection of Albert Dhlomo and ZK Matthews Road, one at the intersection of Deodar and Lena Ahrens Road and one at the intersection of Rick Turner and ZK Matthews Road.

“None of the neighbours have been given any information about this, and it has caused a lot of speculation as to the real reason these poles are being erected. There has been a suggestion that perhaps they’re going to be cellular repeater towers disguised as cameras, because MTN is in the cellular business, not the security business. Also, I have seen recent SMS messages from MTN stating they are upgrading their service in our area,” said Ludik.

Lee Ludik said he was concerned as there had been no transparency regarding this project. He said there had been nothing in the newspapers and the ward councillor didn’t seem to know anything about it.

“It’s all very cloak and dagger! We have done our research and have found out this has been happening in Johannesburg as well where MTN has started deploying antennas on street light poles, and erecting purpose-built pole masts with zero visual impact around west and northern Johannesburg to improve network coverage and quality. We think if they are installing cameras on the poles, this is an aside, and the primary reason will be a cell mast. The poles are three times the height of robots and I feel residents will be appeased by thinking the cameras are for security, where MTN will actually be erecting masts. We have no problem with reception in the area. Everything is mere speculation at the moment though,” he said.

Resident, Sara Serjeant, said she had spoken to a foreman at the Lena Ahrens Road site and was told the poles will have MTN cell masts on top, along with a camera.

“I was told Huawei was also involved in that they are laying fibre optic cables. Our complaint is that at no point have we been told what is going on, or been given the option to object. They are going up all over. We have been given no concrete information on this,” she said.

Kenny Lowe, a resident in Albert Dhlomo Road, said he received an A4 black and white notice in his postbox in August to say Huawei were assisting MTN in laying fibre optic cables in the road, and apologised for any inconvenience. The letter was not signed.

“I didn’t worry too much as laying of fibre optic cables didn’t concern me, but two weeks later this pole was delivered! The letter said nothing about a camera or tower! MTN approached my church recently to erect a tower at the church, offering the church R2 000 a month, however the church objected to this. I am happy if there is going to be a camera on top, however it must be of benefit to MTN, so I can’t see how they wouldn’t erect a mast on top. This is a municipal traffic island, so I would like to know who is getting the R2 000 a month. In my opinion, it is twice the height needed for a security camera and in this area where there are so many trees, a camera won’t see much. I am very surprised we didn’t have a say in this,” he said.

Serjeant said she felt the project must have been planned for a while as something like this didn’t happen over night.

Ward councillor Mmabatho Tembe said she was also trying to find out what was going on.

“I heard that they are doing the same thing in Durban North. I will be investigating,” she said.

Responding to queries from Berea Mail, Mamello Raborifi from MTN said: “MTN cannot comment on the proposed erection of the network poles. Any enquiries regarding these poles should be directed to the eThekwini Municipality.”

EThekwini Municipality had not responded to queries from Berea Mail at time of going to print.