Crawford parents protest over cellphone tower on school grounds
THE erection of a cellphone tower has once again got residents up in arms, this time in Crawford where parents of pupils at Thornton Road Primary School picketed yesterday.
The tower will be erected on the school’s grounds, but parents argue it was both a health hazard to children and that there had been no community participation.
Maqbul Mukuddem, who lives opposite the school, said neighbours feared radio frequency radiation.
“The latest cellular technology will employ millimetre waves for the first time, in addition to microwaves that have been in use for the older technologies such as 2G to 4G,” he said.
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said governing bodies of public schools on state property had to submit an application for the approval of the installation of a cellular mast and base station.
She said provisional approval was granted in 2017 by the WCED on condition that certain requirements were approved by the Department of Transport and Public Works.
“The governing body may enter into legally binding lease agreements with cellular network providers for the installation of cellular masts and base stations on the school premises, subject to (certain) conditions,” Hammond said.
Thornton Road Primary School principal Mogamat Luddy, who became principal last year, said none of the School Governing Body (SBG) members on the board at the time were currently involved with the school.
Provincial Public Works spokesperson Jandré Bakker said after the Education MEC’s approval, the department would normally sign a power of attorney that enabled the submission of an application to the City.
“The cellphone service provider, their consultant and the school are responsible to comply with any requirements of the approval process, including the required public participation process,” Bakker said.
Marian Nieuwoudt, Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, said a land use application was submitted to the City in October 2019 and advertising via registered mails to surrounding property owners was registered with the Post Office on November 4 last year.
Following the advertising period, no objections were received and the matter was considered and approved on May 22 this year.
Subsequently, building plans were submitted and approved in June.
“The application on this particular property was submitted by the applicant and as part of their motivation the location was (put forward).
“The SGB has provided the applicant with the necessary permission to submit the land use application and a copy of the lease agreement between the SGB and the applicant was submitted as part of the land use application.
“The City complied with the requirements for public participation and no comments or objections against the application were received,” Nieuwoudt said.