Cape Town - A decision to erect a cellphone tower in a residential area in Mitchells Plain is being challenged by residents who are concerned about “harmful” radio frequency and electromagnetic fields they fear could negatively affect their health.
Two hundred and eleven residents in Carol Crescent in Lentegeur signed a petition against the construction of the tower which will be located on the grounds of the Assembly of God church. The land is not city-owned. Rental payments will be made to the church.
The tower will consist of a 30 metre high monopole mast, 12 panel antennae – which is attached to the mast – microwave dishes, four equipment cabinets and a 2.4 metre high palisade fence that surrounds the compound.
The cellphone tower is owned by Atlas Towers, an international company with sites in the US and Africa.
Mother of three, Amanda Collins, who has been living in Carol Crescent for several years, accused the City of Cape Town of not conducting adequate public information sessions.
“When these cellphone towers come up, it is only after a few years that you become sick. I have an 11-year-old autistic daughter whose hearing, taste and smell are enhanced. This tower will affect her more over the years,” she said.
Residents received registered letters from the city on April 29 this year, warning them of plans to build the tower. The city said the letter granted residents 30 days to submit comments or lodge objections to the case officer dealing with the application before a decision would be made on September 29.
Collins said residents were not aware of the “health hazards” posed by the towers, and only a few of the 25 registered letters were collected from the post office by residents.
“They have to follow procedure, they can’t assume that it is okay because we did not respond. Only four people received the letters. “We assumed that they were beautifying the church. I did a search at work on cellphone towers and read of the dangers. My neighbour had cancer, she is in remission and the tower will face her bedroom.
“I fear that construction of this cellphone tower will have dire effects on generations to come,” Collins said.
Mayco member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Johan van der Merwe, said the application from the company must comply with the relevant zoning scheme and all applicable laws, including adherence to council policies as well as follow the necessary processes that determine whether the application will be approved.
“With this specific application, notifications were issued via registered mail to 25 potentially affected surrounding property owners, four community organisations and the ward councillor for their comments.
“No objections were received and therefore the application was approved on September 29, 2015,” he said.
Van der Merwe said the closest house to the cellphone tower would be 20 metres away.
When asked if the petition could hinder plans of constructing the tower, he said: “The decision of council is functus officio and can only be overturned by a high court review.”
Mayco member for Health, Siyabulela Mamkeli, said measurement surveys conducted by the city’s specialised environmental health department on “numerous occasions” confirmed results of public exposure from cellphone masts and their related emissions were only a fraction of the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection level as determined by the World Health Organisation.
“The city is confident that based on these findings and measurements, and provided that all the regulatory control measures are put in place and adhered to, public health will not be compromised,” he said.
He urged residents to contact members of the specialised environmental health section on 021 400 3781 who will take readings if required.
Cape Argus
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