We, the concerned residents of Fresnaye, Sea Point and the greater Atlantic Seaboard, strongly object to the proposed lease of public land at Erf 932-RE Fresnaye, 10A Avenue Marseilles, for the purpose of installing telecommunications infrastructure by Rich Rewards Leasing (Pty) Ltd. Deadline to object 15 June 2025.

This proposed installation, on a small portion of ±4.4m², is not just a technical upgrade—it is a decision that will affect the health, safety, property values, and character of our neighbourhood for years to come.

🚨 Why We're Opposed:

1. Excessive Proximity to Dense Residential Living
Fresnaye is a tightly built, high-density suburb with many apartment blocks—this tower would sit just meters away from bedroom windows, balconies, and communal outdoor areas. The City's own guidelines discourage this type of installation in close proximity to homes, yet this proposal does exactly that.

2. Unproven Long-Term Health Risks
Mounting global research raises serious concerns about EMF exposure, particularly from LTE and 5G infrastructure, especially when located so close to where people live, sleep, and work. Those living with autoimmune diseases, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable individuals face heightened risk. Why is the City gambling with our health?

3. Violation of Transparency and Community Participation
The majority of residents were not informed about the planned mast. The burden of awareness and mobilisation has fallen on individuals who happened to discover the proposal via social media by chance. There has been no meaningful community consultation or notice placed in shared apartment spaces or public walkways.

4. Area Is Already Well-Served
There is no demonstrated need for this installation. Fresnaye and Sea Point already experience strong and stable wireless and LTE connectivity. This tower would offer no discernible improvement to network performance, making the installation unnecessary at best. Residents are being asked to accept real risks for negligible, if any, gains.

5. Visual Pollution in a Heritage Area
Fresnaye and Sea Point are prized for their historic charm, mountain and sea views, and architectural cohesion. A mast installation in this elevated, visible location would be a blight on the skyline, affecting everyone who lives nearby or passes through the neighbourhood, and given the topography of the Fresnaye area it will be situated in direct line of sight for a considerable number of residents to the ocean beyond.

6. Precedent for More Masts
Approval of this mast will set a dangerous precedent, opening the door for multiple future masts in and around our area, without sufficient safeguards, planning restrictions, or community input.

 
✊ What We Demand:

Immediate rejection of the proposed lease for telecommunications purposes on Erf 932-RE Fresnaye.

A moratorium on the installation of cellular masts in high-density residential neighbourhoods until independent health and visual impact assessments are conducted.

Proper notification to all residents within a 300m- 2km radius of any proposed tower.

Compliance with the City of Cape Town’s own Telecommunications Infrastructure Policy, which recommends alternative, less intrusive sites and a prioritisation of shared infrastructure.
 
🏘️ Protect Our Homes, Our Health, and Our Right to Be Heard
We are not opposed to better connectivity, but not at any cost. Infrastructure must not override health, transparency, and liveability. The installation of a cell tower just metres from people's bedrooms is a clear violation of common sense and community care.

👉 Sign this petition to demand that the City of Cape Town uphold our right to a safe, healthy, and transparent neighbourhood. Let’s stop this tower before it’s too late.

NB: Submit objections in writing directly to: Gary.Dammert@capetown.gov.za, cellmast.objection@capetown.gov.za