By Cllr Daniel Mea and Cllr Fran Kristopher- DA eThekwini Councillors
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini has written to the acting Head of Libraries, Dr. Zakhi Mkhize, seeking urgent clarity regarding the temporary closure of the Musgrave Library located in Glenwood Village Mall.
This closure has caused growing concern among residents who depend on the library for access to educational resources, research facilities, and community programmes. The DA has requested a full explanation regarding the circumstances that led to the closure, including reports of non-renewal of the lease agreement, non-payment of utility bills, and staff redeployment.
Despite repeated correspondence, no formal response has yet been received from the department. The DA has therefore called for the matter to be prioritised and tabled for discussion at the next Community Services Committee meeting to ensure accountability and transparency.
The DA emphasises that public libraries are an essential component of community development and access to information. The closure of the Musgrave Library, particularly following the long-term closure of the Windermere Library, has placed additional strain on surrounding facilities, including the Umbilo Library.
The DA in eThekwini will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for the swift reopening of the Musgrave Library to restore vital library services to the Glenwood and neighbouring communities.