OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Sunday 5.30pm.
A SOUTH AFRICAN man is suing two cellphone companies, M-Tel and Vodac, for R502,5-million after doctors removed a brain tumour close to his right ear.
Terry Hutchings of Pretoria, who has used cellphones ever since they were first introduced, is suing for R2,5 million on his own behalf and that of his family; and for a further R500 million on behalf of all South Africans who have been adversely affected by cellular phones.
His lawyer, high-profile attorney Peter Soller who also appeared in last year’s “kidnapped baby” case, claims that the two cellular companies are responsible for transmissions at wave lengths that are known to be harmful. The claim also calls on the court to order cellphone companies to issue health warnings.
Hutchings, who has developed epilepsy after repeated radiation treatment since the tumour was first discovered six months ago, says his symptoms were a tingling and burning feeling in his right ear, accompanied by a buzzing sound in the ear.
The controversy over cellular phones began in January this year when an Australian cancer specialist reported a 50% rise in brain tumours since 1982, and suggested that mobile phones were the cause.
Last month, a Welsh scientist launched a similar court case against two British cellphone companies, demanding that all phones be accompanied by health warnings. A radiation expert told the court that cellphone users have reported headaches, loss of concentration, buzzing sounds, and skin tingling or burning.
Both South African cellphone companies plan to fight the Hutchings case, with MTN noting that they have commissioned both the CSIR and University of Pretoria to study whether cellphones can indeed be a health hazard.