Lwandle Library has been forced to close its doors until further notice following a break-in over the weekend that resulted in extensive damage and flooding.
The incident, discovered by staff on Monday morning (11 August), has not only disrupted a vital community service, but also created a significant setback for a recently announced R12 million upgrade project to the facility.
According to officials, the perpetrators accessed the building through the ceiling in an attempt to bypass the alarm system. In the process they ripped electrical wires out, causing a power outage and damaging water pipes, which led to the library being flooded.
An assessment is currently underway to determine the full extent of the damage and to begin the process of restoring electricity and repairing the facility.
The break-in comes just weeks after the City of Cape Town announced a major upgrade project for the library, a development that had been met with excitement by the community (“Major upgrades coming”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 6 August).
The project-management team will now have to factor the repair work and the unexpected damages into their timelines.
Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee member for Community Services and Health, said: “This incident is incredibly disappointing, especially considering the exciting developments in the pipeline for this library. Apart from the cost to repair the damage to the library, the biggest cost is to the community, who now have to travel much further to access our services, all because of the actions of a few individuals.”
Higham has urged anyone with information on the incident to contact the local police or the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre.
In the interim patrons of Lwandle Library are advised to use alternative facilities at the Strand, Gordon’s Bay or Somerset West libraries until services are restored.
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