ISSUES surrounding the installation of masts or cellular network antennas in Mulbarton, Glenvista and Mayfield, among others, continue to be a factor for residents.
While the aim of City Power and various cellphone networks is to improve internet access and communication through stronger signals, residents are still unhappy with the location of the masts.
Mondeor resident René de Villiers notes: “Antennas in urban settings will be easily accessible by repair teams; those in the reserve will necessitate additional access points and foot and/or vehicular traffic into an already fragile eco-system.
”Allowing cellular antennas in the reserve would be yet another step of incrementally destroying what is the single natural asset of the long suffering south.”
Bassonia resident Busi Khoza said City Power and cellular networks should not even consider putting a mast in front of her home.
“We are about to build and our plan should not be limited by an aerial, please,” she commented.
Another Mulbarton resident, Thabiso Mafatle, has confronted Vodacom about the lack of public participation and on why he was not informed about a green box that was installed outside his home.
“To my amazement, no consultation was done prior to that installation; apparently that is the attitude of most affected residents,” he said in an email to Vodacom.
”What is most annoying is the green box installed just in front of my house.”
Mafatle requested an immediate relocation of the green box, adding that he was prepared to fight this matter to the bitter end.
He is one of many residents who said they did not know about the partnership between council and the other parties involved.
He revealed to the COURIER that he has engaged his lawyers to investigate possible measures he can take as a resident.
