MTN towers furore rages on in Lonehill

MTN’s multi-million rand 4G tower project in Lonehill has come under fire after some residents dismissed the deal as a private arrangement between the giant mobile cellular service provider and directors of Lonehill Residents Association (LRA).

During a heated special general meeting held by the association on 29 June, residents demanded answers from the LRA directors, with some residents suggesting that the association had jumped into bed with MTN before seeking their approval for the installation of the towers in the area.

Chairman of the association, John Siddall explained how the relationship between the two parties was formed and emphasised that the towers did not belong to the association and said the mobile giant was given permission to erect the towers from the City. Siddall said the LRA simply communicated the towers plan to residents at the request of MTN.

Read: Conflicting views on cell tower masts

Siddall gave a lengthy presentation on the benefits of the LRA-MTN relationship and explained that one of the pros of the relationship with MTN is that cameras with license plate recognition software were being installed in the area, making for easy identification of motorists and vehicles, thus increasing security.

“This is at no charge to the LRA or its residents,” Siddall said.

Some residents at the meeting wanted to make it clear that there are two sides to every story and said that while Siddall was able to present his version of events, alongside pros and cons, opposing parties members were unprepared for the installation of the towers.

Speaking during the meeting, resident Toni Suddes accused the directors of deceiving the community. “[My] issue with the 4G towers, [is that] we have been sold out. LRA should have run a survey to get honest feedback from the community. I am angry. Who wants a tower in front of his house?” fumed Suddes.

A survey conducted by the association had previously been conducted for Fibre To The Home, however, many residents were not aware that the agreement with MTN would result in 4G towers being erected.

Suddes accused the association of misinforming MTN about the lack of objections from residents and blamed the directors for the situation the community members now faced. “LRA did not give us enough time to raise objections. MTN said the LRA gave them the go-ahead as residents [allegedly] did not raise any objections. MTN is now in a fix because they have already invested millions [into this project],” said Suddes.

Read: Lonehill group hopes to get residents’ reactions to telecommunication towers

The association sent a newsletter out to residents detailing the towers on 27 August, however, the first tower was installed by 28 August.

Another incensed resident, Claudette Brodie-Smith, who has a tower in front of her house, challenged the association to stand behind the residents and fight for their interests, not the cellular giant’s investment.

Startling revelations were also made during the special general meeting that the association allegedly used R200 000 in legal fees to fend off those who had sent lawyer letters; as well as a local group of residents who had created a website which Siddall claims misleads residents, as it features the LRA logo.

Local resident, Steve Parrymore called for a way forward and appealed to his fellow residents to stop pointing fingers at each other. “MTN, the councillor and LRA chairman acknowledge that they did not do what they were supposed to do, so let’s create an open condition and find a solution to the problem,” he said.

Chairman of the Joint Working Group (JWG), Philip Broenland expressed shock that MTN was going ahead with the project while investigations were underway to address people’s concerns.

By the end of the meeting, residents and the directors had agreed to form a committee to help find solutions and a way forward.

Meanwhile, Krishna Chetty, general manager: radio planning and optimisation, MTN South Africa said, “In a bid to improve network coverage and quality in accordance with the contract we have with City Power, MTN replaced an existing light pole that was adjacent to Blandford Ridge estate with a purpose-built pole. This initiative of substituting some municipal infrastructure with network antennas was supported by the LRA, who affirmed this with a letter of support they provided to MTN.

Read: Lonehill furore over MTN towers settles

“The LRA informed residents by placing a notice on their website of the planned poles in the area and members of the LRA had the option to provide comments on the poles and none was received. MTN has complied with all health and safety regulations governing the construction of such infrastructure.

“The LRA has since urged MTN to identify alternative site locations within the immediate area. MTN has committed to carry out a technical investigation to determine if there are alternate locations available.”

Fourways Review has been, and will continue running a series of follow-ups to the story.

Read more:

MTN to relocate Blandford tower as demanded by Lonehill residents

MTN tower furore in Lonehill takes new twist