Incompetence blamed for library fire
Once a beacon of pride in the town, the library fell into disrepair and has now been gutted by fire.
The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) must be held accountable for the fire last that caused further devastation to the old Brakpan library last week.
This is according to Ward 97 Clr Brandon Pretorius, who believes the building is in ruins due to the incompetence of the current CoE administration.
“The community of Brakpan has tried its utmost best to obtain means to ensure the safety of the building since it has been vacant but the municipality just refused,” he said.
“Numerous organisations, NGOs and NPOs have tried to obtain lease agreements to utilise the building without any success.
“In June 2018, the CoE stated the old library premises would be used as office space for municipal staff. This was the very same line they would use as a response every time any individual would try to utilise the abandoned space.
“The DA in Ekurhuleni will fight for accountability on this matter. Written questions to council will be asked and upon receiving the relevant information further steps will be taken against the responsible officials, including the head of department.
“A landmark of Brakpan cannot disappear due to incompetence and no one is held liable.”
Before the fire, which broke out just before 19:00 on January 19, the vacant building had fallen siege to vagrants and vandals after the new library opened its doors in 2017.
This is the second landmark in the town to be gutted by fire in less than a year.
The Brakpan Bowling Club, a feature of the town since 1919, burnt down in March last year. This club saw thousands of bowlers on its greens over the decades it was in use.
The building had been neglected since its closure several years ago and it is alleged vagrants living in the building started the fire.
These grounds were also once home to the Brakpan Tennis Club – another ruined landmark.
The bowling club building was stripped bare in the months following the fire, with window frames, the corrugated iron roof, gates, pipes and cables carried away.
ALSO READ: Clean Brakpan movement goes full steam ahead
ALSO READ: Gun-wielding hijacker forces female driver to stop
