Not in our suburb

Greenside residents are up in arms over a Telkom mast which is soon to be erected on a private property on Barry Hertzog Avenue.

It is alleged that property owner Dr Joubert Viljoen gave the telecommunications provider the go-ahead without any form of consultation with, or approval from, other residents.

Greenside Primary School has strongly objected to the erection of the tower and base station because of possible health risks.

“The proposed site is in close proximity to our school. Many pupils and parents who accompany their children to our school walk right past this location. Many of our Muslim families attend mosque which is located one block away from the planned site,” read the school’s objection letter sent to the city council.

Defending himself, Viljoen said he was approached by Telkom about the possibility of erecting a cellphone tower on his property.

“I agreed to it because of bad cellphone reception in the area. I literally have to walk into the street every time I have to take a phone call on my cellphone or to make a phone call from my cellphone,” explained Viljoen.

He said he wasn’t aware that some residents were against the erection of the tower but only knew about an individual who paid him a visit following his decision to agree in principle for the tower to be erected on his property.

Viljoen went on to clarify that he had been informed by Telkom that the erection of the tower would not continue until the public participation process had been completed.

A property adjacent to the site, which has no connection to the proposed tower, is in its final stages of construction and this process has been going on since June last year. Contractors are continuously in and out of that property which may have led to the perception that the construction of the cellphone tower had started.

Telkom’s spokesperson, Jacqui O’Sullivan highlighted that the location in question did not have 2G, 3G and LTE mobile coverage and said these communication services were required in the community.

She said in terms of its licence obligations, Telkom had the duty to provide these services to the community.

O’ Sullivan said, “We are of the understanding that the location in question meets this criterion. We are not obliged to conduct public participation.

“Our mandate is to provide telecommunication services, however, we do take the views of communities we serve seriously.

“We, therefore, have stopped construction activities to allow time to address some of the concerns raised by this community.”

Also read: Lights out on Abercorn

Add us on Whatsapp for the latest news by adding 079 4395 345 to your contact list and just send your name to us so we can save your number. Click here to find out more about our Whatsapp policy.