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Mobile telecommunications Infrastructure belonging to MTN and Vodacom has been set on fire and destroyed in KwaZulu-Natal, possibly as a result of conspiracy theories linking the deployment of 5G to the spread of the virus that causes Covid-19.
This was said by Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, who said in a statement on Thursday that three towers belonging to mobile operators were destroyed on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. He did not say where they were located. (TechCentral has reached out to MTN and Vodacom for comment.)
The minister urged police to arrest those responsible for what she described as “anarchy” and said the destruction of the towers “follows a resurgence of conspiracy theories linking the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic to 5G” .
The tower fire comes after an eThekwini (Durban) councilor, Sifiso Mngadi, reportedly shared a voice memo with his colleagues over Christmas that linked 5G networks to the spread of Covid-19. Mngadi was criticized by the ANC and opposition political parties for the comments and now faces disciplinary action.
Ndabeni-Abrahams said on Thursday that linking 5G to Covid-19 was part of a “disinformation campaign” that posed a “threat to investments” made by telecom operators.
‘Regrettable’
“It is regrettable that much-needed network infrastructure is being destroyed. The country needs high-speed and resilient connectivity for all citizens to enable them to meaningfully participate in the digital economy. Furthermore, mobile telephony is crucial in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, ”he said.
“The destruction of the network towers compromises multiple efforts and initiatives to stop the spread of the virus. Therefore, we urge the police to arrest anyone who is threatening or removing stations or towers from the infrastructure network.
Inside a burned-out MTN base station in KwaZulu-Natal. Image c / o MTN
Inside a burned-out MTN base station in KwaZulu-Natal. Image c / o MTN
Inside a burned-out MTN base station in KwaZulu-Natal. Image c / o MTN
South Africa is not the only country that has had a network infrastructure run by the false belief that there is a link between 5G and Covid-19. Dozens of telecommunication towers were attacked in the UK last year, apparently by people who believed such links existed.
MTN South Africa spokesperson Jacqui O’Sullivan said: “South Africa’s ability to play a significant role in the fourth industrial revolution is inextricably linked to increased access to 4G and 5G technologies and these unfounded conspiracy theories accomplish nothing. rather than mindlessly undermining much-needed progress for all South Africans. ” – © 2020 NewsCentral Media
- This is a developing story
