Old library defiled
There is evidence that people are urinating and defecating inside the library and using pages from books as toilet paper.
The former Brakpan library is under siege from vagrants and vandals.
The building, which according to DA ward councillor Brandon Pretorius, had been declared a heritage site, was abandoned when the new library was opened more than a year ago.
It was discovered over the weekend that the former library has become a haven for vandals and vagrants, who have had access to the numerous items left behind when the premises were vacated.
Among these items are numerous books, furniture and even the town’s Brakpan Herald archives – which date back to the 1920’s.
There is evidence that people are urinating and defecating inside the library and using pages from books as toilet paper.
The inside of the building is also being stripped of anything of value.
“This is exactly why the Democratic Alliance in Ekurhuleni has brought the motion of no confidence against the mayor of Ekurhuleni,” said Pretorius.
“The incompetence shown by the executive mayor is truly shocking.
“Without isolating the vandalism of the old Brakpan library, the City of Ekurhuleni is the victim of many similar cases, which at the end of the day is costing the city millions.”
Pretorius told the Herald the former library is an important part of the town’s history.
It started from humble beginnings in around 1920 when a municipal office was converted into a library.
It was only accessible to municipal employees and councillors, and the public was not allowed to use it.
It was turned into a public library in 1922.
Also read: Mayor visits town to open library
The new library opened its doors in July, last year, but was officially opened by Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina in March this year.
“On the same day, the mayor and I visited the site of the old Brakpan library to raise not only my concerns but also concerns raised by the Brakpan community with regards to the old library,” said Pretorius.
“Mayor Masina did not care to listen to the concerns raised by the Brakpan community and over the past weekend the old library was broken into and vagrants started stripping the inside of the heritage site.
“Upon visiting the site I was shocked to see that the old library was still filled with books and all kinds of historical documents and audio.
“The community decided to take matters into their own hands and barricaded the main entrance off.
“The information stored behind those barricaded doors are recorded history and irreplaceable once lost.
“The mayor being aware of this should act immediately to ensure no further damage occurs.”
The library doors were secured by members of the Brakpan Radio Group.
In June, last year, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality told the Herald the old library premises would be used as office space for municipal staff.
It also gave its assurance in November, last year, that the Herald archives would be moved to the new library.
“Currently we are in the process of finalising all written-off and outdated furniture at the old library,” said metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe at the time.
“We will definitely keep the old Heralds as we know there is a need for these for research purposes.”
The Herald requested comment from the metro, but none had been received at the time of publication.
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