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Internet provider bumping heads with authorities in Graaff-Reinet

Herotel workers cleaned up a pavement earlier this week.

Supplied


Wireless internet provider Herotel is facing a contempt of court order following an application by Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality (DBNLM) in Graaff-Reinet.

The municipality obtained an interdict against the service provider to desist from undertaking any trenching, excavation, and construction of an electronic communications network within the town's jurisdictional area.

Previously, the Municipality received numerous applications from companies, including Herotel, wanting to install fibre within the Municipal area.

A committee was then established to look at the different proposals and make a recommendation to the Municipal Manager for the matter to then be tabled.

The Municipality, however, has not yet proceeded with any appointments.

According to an updated statement issued by DBNLM on their Official Facebook Page this week, Herotel continues to unlawfully trench, despite interventions from police on numerous occasions to enforce the interim Court order.

Residents have also been reminded that the installation of fibre in the area is currently illegal.

They further warned that anyone or legal entity allowing them to install infrastructure on their premises could face legal action from the Municipality.

Herotel has also been ordered to reinstate and restore all roads, verges, and/or pavements in Graaff-Reinet.

The company refuted the allegations on Friday.

A representative of the company told Algoa FM News that they are following a legal process through the court system and said that the municipality was mistaken by their role in who gets to make the decisions.

"They are meant to administrate the bylaws for how a wayleave contract is awarded," said Herotel.

"We trust the courts will help us so that we may continue to build and service networks and customers which we are legally regulated and licensed to do as we do in over 400 towns countrywide," they concluded.