Ballito 5G application re-opened for comment on construction of cellphone mast

Ballito residents will now be given an opportunity to have their say in the construction of a 5G cellphone mast for Ballito. 

The first application earlier this year to erect the mast in Karyn Avenue was rejected by KwaDukuza municipality after residents claimed the public participation process had been flawed. 

The notice to grant permission to American Tower South Africa (ATC) to erect a 5G mast was advertised on March 4 in a KwaDukuza newspaper that is not distributed in Ballito. 

Residents protested that they had also not seen the public notice placed on the boundary of 38 Karyn Avenue during lockdown level 5, as regulations did not permit them to leave their homes except for essentials.

Despite the push-back from residents, ATC claimed the application was made in accordance with the municipal planning requirement set out in KDM’s Spatial Planning and Land Use Management by-law.

However, after a Courier article on June 11, KDM asked ACT to re-advertise the application. The advert appeared in the Courier and a Stanger paper last week.

“Following legal advice, the municipality will now reopen the application process after it was agreed that due process had not been followed.

“In essence, the advice is considering that there were a number of days which fell within the lockdown period. This may have prejudiced some of the interested parties as such may be an issue legally if challenged,” said municipal spokesman Sipho Mkhize. 

The proposed cellphone tower is set to be 25 to 35m high, which is almost 10 storeys high.

Residents have also expressed fear for the potential dangers associated with radiation. 

A copy of the application and its accompanying documents can be viewed at the Development Control Section in KwaDukuza or at the municipal offices in Leonara Drive, Ballito. 

Comments may be emailed to municipalm@kwadukuza.gov.za or delivered to the same offices by November 2.