City dismisses claims of blanket approval for masts

NTHATISI Modingoane, spokesperson, says national legislation regulating the erection of telecommunication towers and masts has prompted the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) to review its policies on the matter.

This comes amid complaints from residents who have raised concerns around the procedure requirements, particularly public participation.

The City, therefore, seeks to dismiss allegations that it grants blanket approvals for cellphone masts, with no consideration of objections from members of the public.

In 2017, the Department of Development Planning and other affected entities found that the City’s process, in terms of its Cell Phone Mast Policy,