Years of hard work by local community organisations and other volunteers to uplift the Morningstar community in Durbanville have been given a severe blow with a burglary at the community hall and reading centre last night.
The burglary was discovered when the doors were unlocked this morning and the reading centre was found in chaos. About eight computers that were donated by the Rotary Club of Tygerberg, as well as a microwave oven and two bicycles – still in their boxes – were stolen. The bicycles were earmarked to be used by the local neighbourhood watch.
According to Lynne Louw, who discovered the burglary, she is heartbroken. Louw built up the reading centre after it was closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. “I am so upset; my heart is really sore. I have worked so hard to build this up. Tomorrow the schools are reopening and how are we going to assist our children?” she asks.
According to her one of the emergency doors at the back of the hall were forced open.
Disappointment
The Rotary Club of Tygerberg expressed its disappointment in a statement to TygerBurger.
“We are deeply saddened by the break-in at the Morningstar reading centre, where eight computers donated by our club in 2016 were stolen. Our donation aimed to provide learners with essential tools for homework, research and educational development,” says Willy Watson, president of the Rotary Club of Tygerberg.
“The centre was closed during the Covid pandemic and when Rotary wanted to relocate the computers, Lynne stepped up and volunteered to reopen the centre. We appeal to the broader public to join us in rallying support – whether through donations, security assistance or simply spreading awareness – so that Morningstar can rise stronger than before,” Watson says.
Huge setback
Theresa Uys, councillor for Ward 112, which includes Morningstar, describes the burglary as a tragedy for the community. “The children of Morningstar relied on the use of those computers to do their school projects and for research. It is a huge setback for the community,” she says.
TygerBurger did not receive comment from the Durbanville police in time for publication.
. Anyone who wants to assist with donations of a microwave or desktop computers can contact Lynne Louw on 084 763 5729 or louwlynne205@gmail.com or Willy Watson on presidentrotaryclubtygerberg@gmail.com.
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