Residents angry over Durban North cell tower proposal
One of the residents said she believes the mast will adversely affect her health because of her double-chamber heart pacemaker.
RESIDENTS of Durban North have expressed anger after plans to build a 15 metre camouflaged cell tower were announced. It’s believed the cell mast, which could be situated at a resident’s home, has caused some consternation because of the potential health hazards it poses due to its close proximity to other residents’ homes.
Several residents, from St Andrews Drive and Ranliegh Crescent, some with placards met with the Northglen News last week to voice their disdain for the move. One of the residents, Sandy Day, who lives in Lynton Place, in close proximity to the proposed tower, said she believes the mast will adversely affect her health because of her double-chamber heart pacemaker.
“My family and I are extremely distressed about the erection of the tower. This is zoned a residential area and has been my home since 1969. I’m fitted with a double-chamber heart pacemaker which is highly susceptible to electromagnetic radiation. I have medical proof that this proposed construction will have dire effects on my health as well as the health of my neighbours,” a distressed Day said.
She added of concern was the email address, provided by the City, for residents to address their grievances with was full.
“None of my messages go through to the person’s email address as it says their mailbox is full. How can an advert in a daily newspaper be valid if it was published a few days before the Jewish Passover and Easter weekend? They should move it to the central hub of the Swapo (Broadway), where there are a number of businesses,” she said.
In March last year, a group called ‘Say No to Cellphone Towers in Durban North’ was started. In 2015, residents of Umhlanga Manors were victorious in their battle to stop a 25 metre cell tower from being erected.
