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 GeorgeThe 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
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