Durban residents reject 5G towers on their property
The draft proposal, which was gazetted by Stella Ndabeni-Abarahams, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, is part of the government's expansion into the 5G network.
COMMUNITY leaders in Berea have railed against a proposed government law that would allow network service providers to build 5G towers and other electronic communication devices on any private and public land.
The draft proposal, which was gazetted by Stella Ndabeni-Abarahams, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, is part of the government’s expansion into the 5G network.
Heather Roos, chairperson of Umbilo Community Policing Forum, said the policy would represent an infringement on people’s rights.
“This is taking away people’s rights to privacy on their own property . This is so unfair. What about health risks as this has been a huge issue in the past with cell towers etc. It seems that as citizens in South Africa, we do not have any rights anymore,” she said.
Glenwood resident, Christo Bergh, also raised health and property right concerns over the possible law.
“The fact that they want to use my property without compensation, no. The eyesore alone of these towers puts me off. The jury is still out there on the health implications of 5G,” he said.
As a matter of clarity the World Health Organisation, which established the International Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Project in 1996 looking at potential health risks from cellphone towers, found no health risks associated with 5G.
ALSO READ: Advert revealing cell mast sites in Glenwood was an error, claims MTN agent
“Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak Radio Frequency (RF) signals from base stations (cellphone towers) and wireless networks cause adverse health effects,” said WHO.
Mandy Wilson, a Glenwood resident called the proposal ‘shocking’ and said it must be stopped from being passed into law.
“Your property, which is the single biggest investment you will ever make will drop rapidly in price.”
“In fact, I would go as far as to say it would make it a very difficult property to sell should you opt to move and then it could happen to you all over again under this new legislation. I most certainly would not buy a property with this in my yard,” she said.
Cheryl Johnson, from Save Our Berea, urged residents to participate in the decision making process and make their voices heard.
“So often residents ignore this process but then object to issues that affect them negatively when it is too late and almost impossible to remedy,” she said.
“Undoubtedly residents’ rights will be eroded with this new law and we should all object most strongly to any proposal to build on our private property be it electronic communication infrastructure or a tower.”
Deadline for public comments is 20 August.
Comments can be submitted either in writing or by email to: The Acting Director-General, Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, For attention: Mr A Wiltz, Chief Director, Telecommunications and IT Policy, First Floor, Block A3, iParioli Office Park, 1166 Park Street, Hatfield, Pretoria; Private Bag X860, Pretoria, or 0001rapid@dtps.gov.za
Source: World Health Organisation – 5G mobile networks and health https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/5g-mobile-networks-and-healthWorld Health Organisation – Electromagnetic fields and public healthhttps://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/facts/fs304/en/
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
