5G Tower attacks believed to be the result of fake Covid-19 info
- Three telecommunications network infrastructure towers have been destroyed within a matter of hours
- The incidents occurred in the KwaZulu-Natal this week, apparently in response to recent false information
- This comes after an ANC councillor claimed that the Covid-19 pandemic and 5G towers were linked
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In the space of just a few hours three telecommunications network infrastructure towers have been burnt and destroyed in KwaZulu-Natal.
Source: Getty Images
The towers belong to Vodacom and MTN in the Durban region according to Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
The Communications Minister described the attacks as a threat to investments made to develop the crucial infrastructure:
"It is regrettable that the much-needed network infrastructure is being destroyed. The country needs resilient and high-speed connectivity for every citizen to enable them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. Furthermore, mobile telephony is crucial in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic."
Ndabeni-Abrahams has condemned the vandalism and called on law enforcement to apprehend those responsible.
While at this stage it is speculation, the Minister feels that the attacks may have been sparked by fake information surrounding Covid-19:
“The burning of the cellphone towers follows a resurgence in conspiracy theories which link the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic to 5G. The destruction of network towers compromises multipronged efforts and initiatives to stem the spread of the virus."
The Minister warned South Africans that spreading fake news regarding Covid-19 is a punishable offence:
"Those involved in the destruction of infrastructure are not only breaking the law, but also violate people’s right to access information.”
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported ANC councillor Sifiso Mngadi has earned himself some trouble after claiming that Covid-19 doesn't exist and that 5G cellphone towers are killing people.
Despite claiming that the virus doesn't exist, the eThekwini councillor claims white citizens have already been vaccinated:
“As leaders of eThekwini we need to take action against this disease. It is not Covid. We are getting this thing from 5G towers, [some] installed during this period in preparation of the second wave."
“White people were vaccinated about five months ago. There was a truck that distributed the vaccine in boxes and white people from all over the province, including places like Ixopo and Vryheid, went there to receive these boxes. It was given to white people only.”
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Source: Briefly News
