Western Cape libraries suffers more than R27m, in 5 years, due to theft and vandalism

Western Cape libraries have suffered more than R27 million’s worth of damages in the past five years, due to theft and vandalism.

This was revealed during an answer to a parliamentary question by the DA.

A total of 306 libraries have been vandalised in the past five months and 110 libraries have been robbed. The costs due to vandalism amount to more than R25 million and due to robbery - more than R2.4 million.

PICTURE: Mitchum George

The DA's provincial spokesperson on cultural affairs and sports Gillion Bosman, says that in order to curb robberies and vandalism, the provincial department is building new libraries that are architecturally designed to reduce vandalism and security risks

‘’Libraries play an essential role in local communities by providing access to information and resources, supporting literacy and education, promoting lifelong learning, and serving as community gathering spaces.’’

‘’To combat both robberies and vandalism, the Provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is building new libraries that are architecturally designed to reduce vandalism and reduce security risks in mind, it is also consulting with various community structures to ensure community engagement and ownership. By involving the community in the decision-making processes, the Department is able to create a sense of moral ownership between community members,’’ said Bosman.

He added that more needs to be done to curb theft and vandalism of libraries. Bosman said additional funding from the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and Provincial Treasury, is needed, to upgrade the security measures at public libraries.

“R27 million is a lot of money, and it is money that could have been used to bring more services to our communities, but unfortunately crime continues to leech funding from the provincial government due to an incapable SAPS,’’ said Gillion Bosman, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Cultural Affairs and Sport.

 

Done By: Mitchum George