MEREBANK residents have called for a cell tower that was erected on a church property to be removed. They claim the tower was erected without any community participation.
The residents of Shillong Road, who say they now want the cell tower removed, recently held a peaceful placard demonstration and candlelight vigil outside the Community Evangelical Church.
WATCH: Here
Emmeline Moonean, 39, who lives less than five metres away from the church, said there was no community participation prior to the tower being erected in May this year.
She lives with her parents, aged 77 and 69, and her two sons, aged 16 and 11.
“My mom noticed the tower one morning, it was as if it had sprung up overnight. According to my mom, and some of our neighbours, there was no consultation, or notices put up.
“When the community started looking for answers, we found out that the process had started a few years ago, but we were never informed,” she said.
Moonean said she was concerned about the well-being of her parents and children.
“My parents, like many other elders in our community, are more susceptible to illnesses due to their ages. Merebank is also one of the most polluted areas in the country, due to the refineries in and around our area,” she said.
Moonean said another concern was their properties being devalued.
“If we decided to pack up and move, who would want to buy a property in such close proximity to a cell tower?If we were afforded the opportunity to object, we would have. We don’t need any more health hazards in our community,” she said.
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Lutchmee Perumal, a resident and the deputy chairperson of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), said the organisation had met with the church pastor to discuss the residents’ concerns.
She lives with her family, which includes her two grandchildren aged 11 and 9, less than 100 metres away from the church.
“The organisation spoke to the residents, who informed us that they were never informed of the tower being erected, and if they had been consulted they would object.
“It is very sad, as chronic illnesses such as asthma and cancer are a big concern. Many of the residents, including myself, are recovering cancer patients, and we don’t want to relapse. The tower needs to be taken down, and put in a place, away from the community,” she said.
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Msawakhe Mayisela, spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality, said the church site was the subject of a special consent application and was advertised on October 11, 2019.
He said the closing date of the public participation period was on November 22, 2019.
“There were no objections received. The public participation notices were also placed on the site during this period, neighbours were sent registered letters and it was published in newspapers on October 11, 2019. The application was approved on January 21, 2020,” he said.
Christopher Booysen, the regional site acquisition manager of ATC South Africa said all processes were followed prior to the tower being erected on May 31, 2022.
The tower is owned by ATC South Africa.
“The process commenced in 2018 and the regulatory requirements were fulfilled prior to the tower being erected, which included obtaining environmental approval, civil aviation approval, municipal land use authorisation, and municipal building plan approval,” he said.
Booysen said site notices were placed on the site in accordance with the instructions received from eThekwini Council from October 11, 2019 till November 22, 2019.
“Members of the public were invited to lodge written objections by November 22, 2019. No written objections from the members of the public were received by the Ethekweni Municipality during the stipulated period.
“Public notices were placed in compliance with the Ethekiwni Local Municipality Town Planning Ordinance. Advertising was conducted in The Mercury newspaper on October 11, 2019, and Isolwezwe Newspaper on October 11, 2019. Further, registered letters were posted to the directly adjoining neighbours of the property,” he said.
Booysen said a meeting was held to discuss and address the concerns of the community on June 15.
“The meeting was hosted by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, and attended by Merebank community leaders and members of the community. An open dialogue was held and all permits obtained for the construction of the telecommunication infrastructure were handed to the attendees,” he said.
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