Bellville Library will remain closed for an additional week as repair work following December’s cable theft takes longer than initially expected.
The City’s Library and Information Services announced that the facility, which was scheduled to reopen today (12 January), will now only resume operations on 19 January due to unforeseen delays in the repair process. The library has been closed since 29 December after cable thieves struck the building late in December, leaving it without electricity supply.
While City technicians have been working steadily to replace the stolen electrical infrastructure, the extent of the damage and complexity of the repairs has proven more challenging than initially anticipated.
“The work to repair stolen cables is ongoing, and the Bellville Library is therefore unable to reopen just yet,” the City stated in its latest update.
The extended closure means residents face another week without access to their local library services, affecting students preparing for the new academic year and job seekers who rely on the facility’s computer and internet access.
During the extended closure, residents are encouraged to continue using nearby libraries including:
- Tygervalley Library
- Brackenfell Library
- Kraaifontein Library
- Durbanville Library
- Parow Library
“The City apologises for any inconvenience this extended closure may cause and thanks residents for their patience and understanding,” officials stated. The incident underscores the ongoing impact of infrastructure crime on municipal services, with cable theft continuing to disrupt essential community facilities across the metro. Once repairs are completed and electricity supply is fully restored, the library will undergo safety checks before reopening to ensure the building is secure for public use.
Residents requiring urgent library services are advised to contact their nearest alternative library for operating hours and available facilities.
