CCTV towers vex residents

RESIDENTS of several suburbs across Durban are up in arms over cellphone towers popping up just metres away from their homes.

Some towers have been described as CCTV cameras (pictured) to be operated by the city, but residents suspect the towers are meant for more than just hopefully catching criminals.

Glenwood resident André van Rooyen has been on a mission for months, literally knocking on people’s doors, and running between the authorities and experts. His question is simple: “Tell us what the towers are for, and let us know what electromagnetic waves you are emitting.”

He and his family, together with neighbours, have experienced several side-effects, such as weight gain, unusual personality traits such as aggressiveness and a short temper, and sleeplessness – which all began when a tower in their neighbourhood “went live”.

His concerns, he said, had fallen on deaf ears, and he was pushing for answers from the eThekwini Municipality.

The towers are marked with an MTN logo, but queries to the cellphone company were directed to the eThekwini Municipality, which said the towers were built for a citywide CCTV project which will include Licence Plate Recognition cameras.

Van Rooyen has been called by other communities, such as Manor Gardens, asking for intervention regarding towers going up in their areas.

In Chatsworth, the community of Woodhurst is fighting for the removal of a cellphone tower on the Alencon School property.

Local community activist, Dinesh Chetty, said studies had shown that towers could have a negative health impact, and no risk should be taken until it was investigated.

He said nearby ratepayers were also fearful their property values would decrease. The community has a pending court matter against the tower developers.