DESPITE multiple attempts by residents to clean-up the Despatch Museum which previously housed various historical items, numerous break-ins have left the building in an awful state and with no hope for it to be refurbished to its original condition for years to come.
Despatch ward committee member Theo Senekal said the building of the museum is in shambles.
He said before the building was vandalised, it was frequently visited by residents and scholars.
Senekal said in 2017 there was a break in at the museum, which was reported to the local police, but no arrests were made.
In the same year, Senekal together with other residents embarked on a project to clean up the museum while a generous donor replaced all the broken windowpanes.
Shortly after the clean-up, there was another break in which was reported to the police and again no arrests were made.
Senekal said they then replaced the chain and lock on the door, which was broken by the intruders, but was soon broken yet again.
“It breaks my heart to see this museum building going to ruin and being vandalized,” said Senekal.
“I would personally like the museum to be revived to its old glory so that the residents’ children and grandchildren can learn about Despatch’s heritage.
“The museum will also help boost tourism for our town,” said Senekal.
Many members on the Inwoners van Despatch Facebook page expressed their views about the vandalism of the museum.
Donovan Vallance said: “The museum will look like this because nobody is visiting it. If the residents of Despatch accumulate money to make the place beautiful and visit the museum to learn about the town, it will be much neater.
“The museum can be privately owned and not by the government.”
Thomas Willett said: “We probably have to go to the place ourselves and clean it up otherwise our town will not look like anything.”
Paula Hattingh van Rooyen said: “It is a shame. They cannot maintain anything. They can only ruin things.”
According to ward 52 councillor Francois Greyling, the museum which belongs to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality but has no budget, has been in this state for more than 10 years.
Despite embarking on a drive to clean the building four years ago, it fell into disrepair and was vandalised again.
“Damages range from broken windows and curtains to artifacts that have been damaged as a result of theft and vandalism,” said Greyling.
“Some of the items which have been stolen include the old Despatch mayoral chain, several other artifacts, electrical equipment and even the lock for the door.”
He further said he previously suggested that his ward office make use of a portion of the museum building to ensure that it is budgeted for and receives the necessary security, but his proposal was rejected by the museum committee.
“There was a plan, but it was sadly denied,” said Greyling.
“If the urban renewal plan comes to the fore the museum could be revamped, but that could be years along the line,” said Greyling.
