Poor attendance to a public meeting about proposed cell phone masts did not justify the fight councillor Carl Mann put up on behalf of the community.
Only a handful of residents showed up to the meeting at the Civic Centre last night, albeit with valid questions and worthwhile input, putting to shame Mann’s various attempts at getting the community involved. The few aired their complaints in front of representatives from City Power, Afrovation and service providers Vodacom and MTN and arguments got heated.
Obvious questions about health and safety risks involved were addressed by stakeholders, while they also took suggestions about towers that have already been erected. The tiny gathering of residents felt angered by the proposed sites and soon started challenging service providers about their data rates, saying the end does not justify the means. No reports about the towers’ carbon footprint, compound radiation or noise level were presented at the meeting but all documents were promised to Mann to distribute. MTN tried to reassure residents by promising no generators will be used at any tower utilised by them for broadcasting, saying preparations for outages were made by including a battery pack at each site.
“We’ll be offline should the batteries run down and electricity supply be cut for an extended period of time, but won’t hassle you with generators,” MTN representative John Rocha said.
Ward 71 councillor Gert Niemand shadowed Mann at the meeting, telling the Record he attended to address similar issues in his ward directly with stakeholders. Unfortunately operations commenced in Witpoortjie without public participation or notice to him. He remained unsatisfied with answers given.
Mann and Niemand urged all service providers to clearly mark their towers after construction is complete with the company brand and emergency contact information. This is to prohibit a disaster repeating itself, like the situation in Abbott Street two weeks ago where a girl was poisoned by generator fumes.
Miranda Lusiba from Afrovation, handling the public participation on behalf of MTN, clarified the procedure to clear sites for construction; first the councillor is to be notified, then public participation should take place via a public meeting and thereafter councillors should be notified of the commencement date of construction.
All service providers assured residents that they’re regulated by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) and work will be ceased should they not comply with municipal bylaws.
Residents were promised reports and time to familiarise themselves with findings before the second public meeting will be announced.
“Hopefully, that will be the last meeting and all parties will by then be on board with operations,” Lusiba told the Record.
The saying, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem”, would perfectly fit these efforts if residents don’t step up to the plate with their complaints for the next round.
CAPTION: Councillor Carl Mann is not comfortable with answers given by stakeholders. Photo: Mathilde Myburgh.
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Also read: Girl rushed to hospital due to fumes
Here’s how to take on cell phone towers
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