MTN tower furore in Lonehill takes new twist

Concerned Lonehill resident and convener of the meeting, Trevor Nel, presented the concerns of residents, arguing that MTN was going ahead with the erection of towers despite clear resistance from the community.

Nel added that this was despite the admission by both MTN and the Lonehill Residents’ Association (LRA) that residents were not properly consulted before the project was rolled out.

Nel also claimed that posters inviting people to the protest meeting had been destroyed. However, he could not identify the perpetrators. “This meeting is incensed that someone in our community would call in the heavies to destroy our community protest meeting posters despite all local community leaders and organisations being informed of their legitimacy,” he said.

“Someone does not want us residents with differing or dissenting views to band together and get to the truth – which is precisely why we will.”

Spokesperson for the Electromagnetic Radiation Research Foundation of South Africa, Tracy Lee Dorny provided research, legal case studies and photographs to highlight the potential dangers of cellphone masts. Dorny referred to the suspected increased potential risks of electromagnetic radiation to children, the elderly and the chronically ill.

She quoted from the annual review of the Atomic Energy Board of Namibia which said, “… the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines do not guarantee adequate protection against the long-term effects of exposure, such as increased risk of cancer.”

Chairperson of the Joint Standing Working Group (JSWG), Phillip Broenland disputed claims that microwave radiation could damage human cells. JSWG was formed last year after MTN, LRA and ward councillor John Mendelsohn agreed to form an ad-hoc committee to look into the objections being raised by residents.

Broenland said none of the research findings so far had concluded that the kind of radiation produced by MTN masts could damage human cells. “These towers can only raise body temperatures by two degrees if someone gets closer to them but the body can eventually regulate itself back to the normal temperature after moving away from the source of radiation. This has no effect on human cells,” said Broenland.

Mendelsohn, who was billed to give a presentation at the meeting, decided to boycott it. He said there was no reason for him to participate in a parallel meeting to address issues which JSWG was already addressing.

“In October last year, MTN set up an ad-hoc committee to deal with all the problems which residents have. Mr Nel was part of the committee but later resigned and is now running a parallel process,” said Mendelsohn.

Nel said MTN had sent an apology for not attending the meeting while the LRA apparently ignored the invitation.

Details: www.emrrfsa.org

Also read:

Towers war turns scientific in Lonehill

Lonehill furore over MTN towers settles

MTN to relocate Blandford tower as demanded by Lonehill residents

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