Cellphone mast erection angers Pinetown residents
The Pinetown residents feel disrespected by the cellphone mast which was erected in the middle of a residential area.
AN elderly Pinetown resident was shocked and confused when he woke up to find people erecting a cellphone mast which residents had strongly objected to.
David Smit said they were notified in August 2017 about the proposal to erect the mast and he wrote a letter in response to object to erection of the tower.
“In February this year, we were told that plans for erecting this cellphone mast had been approved. They totally disregarded our complaints.”
Smit said they wrote another letter and they had to pay R5 000 for this second objection.
ALSO READ: Cell masts not a health risk, says City
“I am an elderly resident and have lived in this house since 1991. My health has not been good of late and I do not need this cellular base station right in front of my home. There are many elderly residents residing within the radius of the radiation that will have an effect on them,” explained Smit.
He said there is also a family living next to this mast with small children who play around in the garden
“It was the municipality’s duty not to accept this application to protect residents from related illnesses from the radiation of this station.”
Smit said Section 24 of the South African constitution states: Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being and to have the environment protected through reasonable legislative measures.
ALSO READ: Lack of objections lead to cellphone tower approval
A worn-out Smit who is still trying to come to terms with the mast construction, said residents have tried everything to stop this and it is now costing them money.
Chairman of Pinetown CPF, Jenny Black, said she managed to stop the erection of the mast for six weeks as there were no proper plans.
“Black is the only person who has tried to do something about this as we are not getting any help from the municipality,” Smit said.
“I really feel that we are being disrespected and we are very worried our thoughts are not taken into consideration, yet we pay rates and taxes which go up every year,” said Smit.
Ward 18 councillor, Melanie Brauteseth, said she is currently looking into this matter and the appeals that were made by the residents.
The Highway Mail asked the municipality for comment but has not received a reply at the time of going to print.
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