Noseweek: The Full iBurst vs Craigavon Article

[Scrumptious [clone of Skeptik]]

iBursting with ill-health
Issue # 125 - March 2010 Reader's comments Print this article

Reputation Management 101: You’re the CEO of a fairly large organisation. All of a sudden, a significant number of reasonable, well-to-do people (your customers, basically) start objecting furiously to something your company’s doing. Do you:

1. Deal with the issue seriously, with a real desire to resolve the matter.
2. Treat it as a bit of a joke, belittling your critics and playing mind-games with anyone who raises objections.

The correct answer is of course number 2. If you got this right – congratulations: a solid career awaits you at iBurst.

The great Craigavon Wi-Fi mast saga began in August 2009, when residents of this upmarket suburb near Fourways, Gauteng, woke to find that a wireless broadband mast had been constructed in their suburb over a long weekend. Craigavon consists mainly of upmarket high-density housing – clusters, townhouses and the like. It’s also home to the Fourways Memorial Park cemetery, and Crawford Preparatory private school. The mast had been erected in the cemetery, less than 10 metres from a townhouse complex.

Though residents of Fourways Memorial Park may not have been too perturbed by the sudden appearance in their midst of the mast, Tracey-Lee Dorny certainly was – it soars into the heavens some 30 metres from the master bedroom of her luxury home. Dorny, a successful events manager, was particularly upset that neither she nor her neighbours had received notice of any kind.

With a bit of research, Dorny established that authorisation had been granted in October 2008 (despite objections from residents of the Cedar Lake complex, which is some distance from the mast). However, iBurst, the owner of the tower, had added an amendment to the application, and this meant a further 30-day objection period – so Dorny and other residents filed objections. iBurst quickly withdrew the amendment, thereby eliminating the further objection period.

Undeterred, Dorny mobilised the locals, established the Craigavon Residents Task Force Group, and began assembling a case. When the crowd handling the environmental impact assessment, Executive Environmental Network, wouldn’t supply a copy of the file, Dorny got it from the Gauteng government. Reasons for the environmental company’s reluctance to play ball quickly became apparent – the EIA process had been a farce.

For starters, the motivation given in the application for erecting the mast was completely bogus: it speaks of servicing shops, a magistrate’s court and a post office – whereas Craigavon is purely residential. It also falsely states that some surrounding properties are agricultural.

As for community consultation, iBurst and Executive Environmental Network claimed that notices had been dropped off at all the surrounding complexes, but Dorny established that most local residents had been left completely in the dark (Executive Environmental Network even claimed to have dropped off a notice in the box for units 1-10 of a certain complex – but no such box exists).

Furthermore, the application listed the wrong address for the mast – Memorial Lane, rather than the corner of Perm and Loerie. Finally – the mast was erected some 400 metres from the position given in the application. Altogether, either a cock-up or a bull**** par excellence – take your pick.

In the meantime, Dorny had begun suffering health problems. By early September 2009, she and her son Keegan were getting horribly sick. They both suffered vomiting (Dorny twice vomited blood), rashes, heart palpitations (Keegan complained that his heart was “racing”), rashes which felt like stings (“hotspots” Dorny called them – a term she came to regret using), and bruises on the abdomen.

Dorny operates her business from home and her two employees, as well as her domestic worker, also began getting ill. Dorny’s doctor told her the symptoms could well be linked to the close proximity of the mast, so she moved to her parents’ house. Her son’s health improved very quickly, but for Dorny – who still went to her house every day to work – progress was slow. Last October Keegan begged Dorny to let him have his birthday party at the Craigavon house, which she reluctantly agreed to. Within an hour of the children arriving one of them was complaining of a splitting headache. Other visitors also complained – friends from Zimbabwe suffered headaches and nausea, and after Dorny’s stepson spent a night at the house he said “It felt like I was being stung by a thousand mosquitoes”.
The house events manager Tracey-Lee Dorny was forced to abandon after she became ill - due, she believes, to an iBust wi-fi mast on her boundary

When Dorny enquired around the neighbourbood, she found a number of people had been suffering mysterious ailments since the mast had appeared on their doorstep. She put together a list of no less than 50 people claiming to have been affected, with symptoms that included skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, heart palpitations and short-term memory loss. A number of these people have now signed affidavits. Dorny also collected documentation from six people claiming that their dogs became ill, with vomiting and rashes again featuring as symptoms.

Eventually the situation became intolerable, and Dorny and her family began renting a home in Fourways Gardens (where they are known as the “Craigavon refugees”). This was a very difficult decision – her home had taken taken nine years to build. Dorny also feels that, knowing the dangers, she cannot put the house on the market, or even rent out the cottage on the property. So the decision to abandon the family home came at great emotional and financial cost. At least they’ve recovered their health.

Continues below ...

 

[Scrumptious [clone of Skeptik]]

Dorny’s quite extensive research into electromagnetic radiation, and the “electronic soup” some say we now all live in, brought to light a medically recognised condition known as “electrohypersensitivity”, which affects some 3% of the population severely, and up to 35% mildly. She also discovered that in the Netherlands no new wireless broadband mast licences have been granted since 2006, due to health concerns. Cellphone masts are also still under suspicion from some experts, and the jury’s still very much out on what effects they may be exerting on our collective health. In Taiwan some 1500 cellphone masts built near schools were ordered to be removed. (On a lighter note, it came to light that in Botswana a cell mast was destroyed by an angry community.)

One thing is quite clear: whether or not masts have an impact on health, they definitely do impact on property prices – estate agents reckon values can drop 30%-50%, due to the perceived risk. Dorny plans to form a foundation to research, lobby and educate about electromagnetic radiation.

The Craigavon Residents Task Force Group – representing all residential complexes within 100 metres of the mast, as well as various other complexes in the area, and comprising some 1000 members – has now filed a full submission to the MEC, asking for a reversal of the original decision. The submission is based on the fact that iBurst’s application was flawed, due to the submission of false information and failure to notify all affected parties. The Craigavon refuseniks have reason to believe that iBurst has erected up to 13 masts illegally, and has managed to get around this by simply paying the fines imposed – at R3000 a fine it’s a give-away.

The community is asking why the mast is needed, when there are already masts at the Fourways Hospital, Dainfern, Fourways Crossing Centre, the Design Quarter and the Lonehill Fire Station – each, supposedly, with an effective radius of 13km. The medical issues are, of course, also raised in the submission.

A particularly interesting inclusion to the submission is a letter from Karl Muller – a former physics lecturer who is now a journalist and a member of Electromagnetic Action Group South Africa (Emag SA) – to Dr Emile Perkins van Deventer, director of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International EMF Project. Muller reminds the WHO director that South Africa follows WHO guidelines, and concludes that the WHO is “both the de facto and the de jure authority in South Africa with regard to radiation health”.

Discussing residents’ symptoms Muller says: “We are quite prepared to accept that the radiation levels from this mast fall below the ICNIRP [internationally accepted] guidelines, [but] we are not prepared to accept that the health problems which are occurring [...] are ‘imaginary’... They are very real, and you can see that the operators are relying solely on the WHO for permission to continue radiating these residents at close range ... With the IBurst mast we are dealing with broadband technology, and research has indicated that 3G radiation may be particularly harmful to health. The Bill of Rights of the South African Constitution guarantees citizens the right not to be subjected to medical or scientific experiments without their informed consent ...[but] not only are the public being used in an ‘uncontrolled field experiment’ that seems to be making them severely ill, but no one in authority is making the slightest attempt to collect the results of the experiment. Indeed they go to great lengths to look the other way.”

In the meantime, Dorny claims she tried to engage with iBurst (Wireless Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd), in which Vodacom has a significant shareholding, and which has Alan Knott-Craig (the younger) as one its directors. iBurst’s “values”, their website asserts, are “Knowledge, Empathy, Efficiency, Promises & Solutions (KEEPS)” – though the Craigavon community have seen very little evidence of these.

Instead, what Dorny has encountered is CEO Jannie van Zyl, who has ruffled plenty of feathers. As early as September 2009, when Dorny was still using iBurst, weird things were happening to her email – emails referring to the Craigavon matter simply disappeared (a computer expert ran a check of her computer and concluded that it was being hacked regularly, but he couldn’t pinpoint the source). Then silly and nasty stuff about Dorny started appearing on the My Broadband forum, which, some say, is Jannie van Zyl’s personal plaything: references have appeared to “Miss D and her hotspots”, and the “one mad woman in Craigavon”.

When Dorny finally managed to set up a meeting with Van Zyl for 16 November 2009, Van Zyl rocked up with someone he introduced as his PA, but who turned out to be the company lawyer, Perline Singh. The ten adults and five children from Craigavon who attended the meeting, at a local restaurant, were shocked by Van Zyl’s boorish behaviour – he drank wine liberally (leaving the residents to pick up the tab), and swore profusely (despite the presence of children). When a muscle-bound male Craigavon resident began to describe his symptoms, Van Zyl dismissed him with a disdainful “you’re obviously taking too many steroids”. When a young lady spoke about her continual headaches, he responded with “you’re obviously having boyfriend problems”. Others present were told “you’re obviously eating too much McDonalds”. There was no follow-up meeting, because no-one else could make the date Van Zyl insisted on.

One thing that was agreed at the meeting was that iBurst would switch the mast off for a few weeks to see if that had any impact. Even this was a fiasco. In fact, it’s not clear whether the mast was ever turned off – when the Craigavon Resident Task Force Group wanted to get an independent expert to take readings they were denied access. The lady who lives closest to the mast, Barbara Webster, has signed an affidavit saying that she heard two technicians on the mast talking: one asked “When did we switch the tower off?”, and the other replied “They thought we did, but we didn’t”.

To top it all, Van Zyl let it be known that the whole thing was a trick – the mast had been turned off all the time, so clearly it wasn’t making the residents sick. Which is very odd behaviour – following the meeting, Van Zyl wrote to Dorny that iBurst had agreed in “good faith” to turn off the mast.

When noseweek spoke to Van Zyl he insisted that the EIA process had been proper, and claimed that Dorny had signed receipt of a notice. As for the 13 “illegal masts”, he said that it was simply a case of defective paperwork and that the problems have been ironed out. (He says iBurst has 265 masts around the country, most of them in Gauteng.) As regards My Broadband, Van Zyl admitted that it belongs to a friend, Rudolf Muller, but denied that he has used it to mobilise opinion against Dorny.

Van Zyl insisted that he negotiated in good faith with the Craigavon residents and that he got a local councillor to set up the meeting. He says the meeting was very amiable, ending with hugs all around. It was the residents, he says, who refused to attend the follow-up. He was sceptical of the medical complaints, saying that there is no proof that masts cause medical problems and that no one ever provided him with acceptable medical proof.

He insisted that he had the mast switched off on 7 October 2009 and that it stayed off until 20 December. So he lied at the meeting when he said he would switch if off? Yes, he admitted. Why? Here his explanation defied all logic: he said he was going to tell them he had switched if off, but realised that they would refuse to provide medical proof of illnesses if he did so. But it wasn’t a trick – no no.


Why are so many people complaining of symptoms, and why would Dorny abandon her house? “It’s psychosomatic,” he declared, adding that the “leading” nature of the medical questionnaire encouraged residents to make claims of illness.

The residents say they are determined to win this one. They’ve been advised by attorney Bismark Olivier to exhaust internal processes before going to court. But, they say, they’ll take this as far as the Constitutional Court, if they have to.

http://www.noseweek.co.za/article.php?current_article=2215

 

[shogun]

Pity about all the sarcasm. Is that the general vibe with Noseweek articles? It seems a little subjective and one sided for me to buy it all.

 

[LazyLion]

Ja, when I read it the first time I was struck more by the emotion of the writer than the apparent facts of the article. If this is what noseweek is all about, I don't see the attraction? Surely when one trumpets "investigative journalism" you should punt the main facts of your investigation rather than throw out some emotionally worded speculation? It sounds like this writer was fully primed with what to say by one of the parties mentioned in the article.

No wonder it is called "news you are not supposed to know" .. that's cos nobody else will print this kind of "journalism".

BTW, this is pretty old news... I dunno what this is doing in this section?

 

[Vrotappel]

The remarks about JvZ is pretty consistent with his behaviour on this forum and the complaints about iBurst on this forum and hellopeter. Wonder how long before iBurst folds completely?

 

[Scrumptious [clone of Skeptik]]

Then silly and nasty stuff about Dorny started appearing on the My Broadband forum, which, some say, is Jannie van Zyl’s personal plaything:

As regards My Broadband, Van Zyl admitted that it belongs to a friend, Rudolf Muller, but denied that he has used it to mobilise opinion against Dorny.

I guess it isn't very complimentary about this forum either.

 

[LazyLion]

Yeah, see... that's exactly what I mean... what kind of self respecting journalist uses this kind of language...

Then silly and nasty stuff about Dorny started appearing on the My Broadband forum, which, some say, is Jannie van Zyl’s personal plaything

Seriously... it's like a child wrote this.

 

[Gatecrasher]

It reads pretty well to me. But Noseweek does not pretend to be an impartial reporter. Their articles always take a cynical stance, usually for the David versus the Goliath.

Regardless of the evidence for illness from the radio tower, I don't ever want to wake up one day with one of those monstrosities erected on the other side of my garden wall. No Siree!

 

[Scrumptious [clone of Skeptik]]

Yeah, see... that's exactly what I mean... what kind of self respecting journalist uses this kind of language...



Seriously... it's like a child wrote this.

I thought it very refreshing. If you like iBurst and their CEO, and don't like to hear the truth, then I guess it would irritate you.

 

[Sting]

I thought it very refreshing. If you like iBurst and their CEO, and don't like to hear the truth, then I guess it would irritate you.

If you want refreshing, then why not read the whole thread on this forum?

 

[LazyLion]

I thought it very refreshing. If you like iBurst and their CEO, and don't like to hear the truth, then I guess it would irritate you.

Well, I suppose if you are into unresearched juvenile journalism that kind of thing might excite you. But I will stick to professional news sources. Thanks.

 

[Alchemist]

Wasn't the iBurst tower switched off secretly for a few weeks, and people were still complaining about "ailments"?

 

[Dean]

Well, I suppose if you are into unresearched juvenile journalism that kind of thing might excite you. But I will stick to professional news sources. Thanks.

Lets not even get started on the mainstream media. . . .

Is that unresearched? Can you think of anything they omitted?
Sure, the actual writing isn't of the most professional standard, but no one looks to Noseweek for that. It generally is emotive, but I don't think they're scared to admit that either.

iBurst have failed over and over in the recent past - everything from their billing, to their customer service, to the way they deal with issues (such as this one), to their actual internet service (...the reason they exist at all)

It amazes me that people still support them at all on this forum while they're plainly willing to slate companies like WA.

In short, I don't know about any of you, but I'm willing to believe a whole lot of concerned residents before I believe a CEO who has lied repeatedly (and subsequently admitted it openly).

 

[czc]

Wasn't the iBurst tower switched off secretly for a few weeks, and people were still complaining about "ailments"?

This is what I thought they should do. I reckoned its basically just in their heads but I can't be sure of that.

 

[rpm]

This is one of the worst pieces of investigative journalism I have ever seen. I invited the journalist to speak to us regarding the issue (we knew MyBB was mentioned), but he did not even bother to contact us. I don’t think he had plans to get to the heart of the matter – rather just opting to write a sensationalist story with a ‘he-said-she-said’ slant to make it seem balanced.

 

[LazyLion]

This is one of the worst pieces of investigative journalism I have ever seen. I invited the journalist to speak to us regarding the issue (we knew MyBB was mentioned), but he did not even bother to contact us. I don’t think he had plans to get to the heart of the matter – rather just opting to write a sensationalist story with a ‘he-said-she-said’ slant to make it seem balanced.

It doesn't take a doctorate in literature to see that!

 

[marine1]

VJB - I agree

 

[LazyLion]

Hey Scrumptious. There is no point trying to contact me by private message...

I don't know any of the people involved. I've only met Rudolph once and Jannie once at the MyBoradband conference. I spoke to them for a few minutes each. I don't know anything about the issues involved with the Craigavon tower and I have never been there myself. I pretty much stayed out of the last few threads, I just skimmed them to see what was going on. I don't use iBurst and don't care to because I don't really like any of their products. But I have always seen Jannie van Zyl behaving himself on the board here and he was very helpful when he posted as V3G.

This article has already been posted on MyBB several times, and there was not much comment on it then. I assume that people are not really interested in furthering the discussion until more evidence comes to light.

So by re-posting it a third time I must assume that you are just trying to stir the pot. If I was rpm I would have banned you already. That article is a load of tripe. It is badly written. It clearly only presents one side of the issue, and never even made the attempt to present the alternative viewpoint. It hardly even qualifies as a rant let alone as journalism.

I have no interest in protecting any particular party. I am not in contact with any of the parties and I don't really care to get any more involved. I was just calling a spade a spade in this thread... as is my right to do so.

By the way, forwarding of private personal messages on MyBB is also an offence which can earn you a ban. You obviously have been sent here to stir trouble as your actions betray your agenda. Posting the article is one thing, but trying to influence people by Private Message and stirring the pot behind the scenes is a whole different matter. Let the article stand by itself, there is no need for you to try to push the envelope. The truth can handle itself quite fine, it does not need your help.

 

[Scrumptious [clone of Skeptik]]

Hey Scrumptious. There is no point trying to contact me by private message...

I don't know any of the people involved. I've only met Rudolph once and Jannie once at the MyBoradband conference. I spoke to them for a few minutes each. I don't know anything about the issues involved with the Craigavon tower and I have never been there myself. I pretty much stayed out of the last few threads, I just skimmed them to see what was going on. I don't use iBurst and don't care to because I don't really like any of their products. But I have always seen Jannie van Zyl behaving himself on the board here and he was very helpful when he posted as V3G.

This article has already been posted on MyBB several times, and there was not much comment on it then. I assume that people are not really interested in furthering the discussion until more evidence comes to light.

So by re-posting it a third time I must assume that you are just trying to stir the pot. If I was rpm I would have banned you already. That article is a load of tripe. It is badly written. It clearly only presents one side of the issue, and never even made the attempt to present the alternative viewpoint. It hardly even qualifies as a rant let alone as journalism.

I have no interest in protecting any particular party. I am not in contact with any of the parties and I don't really care to get any more involved. I was just calling a spade a spade in this thread... as is my right to do so.

By the way, forwarding of private personal messages on MyBB is also an offence which can earn you a ban. You obviously have been sent here to stir trouble as your actions betray your agenda. Posting the article is one thing, but trying to influence people by Private Message and stirring the pot behind the scenes is a whole different matter. Let the article stand by itself, there is no need for you to try to push the envelope. The truth can handle itself quite fine, it does not need your help.

Gary, this article has not previously been posted in full AFAIK. If so, please forward the link.
The story quoted all of the parties involved. I hope you're not saying they didn't have a chance to make their views know, because that's evidently untrue.
The article tries to get to the heart of a matter that is important in a community's life. Refusing to discuss the matter or trying to get people banned doesn't help your own cause. In fact it weakens the counter-argument.
We need robust debate here, not sweeping of carpets.

 

[Sting]

Gary, this article has not previously been posted in full AFAIK. If so, please forward the link.
The story quoted all of the parties involved. I hope you're not saying they didn't have a chance to make their views know, because that's evidently untrue.
The article tries to get to the heart of a matter that is important in a community's life. Refusing to discuss the matter or trying to get people banned doesn't help your own cause. In fact it weakens the counter-argument.
We need robust debate here, not sweeping of carpets.

This issue was debated VERY robustly on this forum. Use the search function.