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In a parliamentary question asked by the Democratic Alliance, it has been revealed, that in the past 5 years, libraries in the Western Cape have suffered R27 636 475.94 in damages as a result of both robberies and vandalism.

A shocking 306 libraries were vandalised over the past 5 years while 110 libraries were robbed during the same period.

The cost incurred due to vandalism is R25 194 902.23

The cost incurred due to robberies is R 2 441 573.71

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.

The South African Police Service has long lost the ability to prevent these acts from happening, and as a result, the department continues to lobby for additional funding from the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and Provincial Treasury to upgrade the security measures at our public libraries.

MPP Gillion Bosman said: “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.

The DA-run Western Cape will continue to work with community members to protect our libraries, as they play an important role in the development of young people.”

Issued by Gillion Bosman - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Cultural Affairs and Sport