Destroyed since 2009
June 2009 Mashishini community library, Mashishing, Thaba Chweu municipality, Mpumalanga
Damage caused during public protest after disappearance of R3.2-million from council coffers. Damage estimated — Building: R1 600 000 Furniture and equipment: R120 000 Books: R800 000
October 13 2009 Siyathuthuka community library, Belfast, Emakhazeni municipality, Mpumalanga
Burnt to the ground during public protests. Eighteen people were arrested and charged with public violence. Damage estimated — Furniture and equipment: R100 000 Books: R750 000
February 9 2010: Siyathemba township, Balfour, Mpumalanga
Community library burnt to the ground. Damage estimated — Building: R2 500 000 Furniture and equipment: R380 000 Books: R1 120 000
April 15 2011 Meqheleng library, Meqheleng, Ficksburg, Setsoto municipality, Free State
Pupils enraged by the death of Andries Tatane looted and set fire to the library during public protests. Damage estimated — R760 000
March 21 2012 Ratanda library, Heidelberg, Lesedi municipality, Gauteng
Burnt to the ground during a municipal workers’ strike. Some demanded removal of the mayor. The protests took place during South African Library Week. Library served 70 000 residents and had 11 807 books, all of which were destroyed. Damage estimated — R2 957 615
May 2 2012 Phiritona library, Heilbron, Ngwathe municipality, Free State
Building and contents damaged by petrol bombs. Fiftythree people charged with malicious damage to property, arson and sabotage. Only 17 appeared in court and were released on R500 bail. The library had been previously attacked in 2007. Damage estimated — Unknown
June 24 2012 Welgeleë library, Olifantshoek, Gamagara municipality, Northern Cape
Burnt to the ground during public protests and 40 000 items were destroyed, including a fax-copier, seven computers and educational toys. Damage estimated — Unknown
June 26 2013 Community library, KwaZamokuhle township, Hendrina, Mpumalanga
Burnt to the ground when more than 1 000 people went on the rampage, unhappy with the mayor. Damage estimated — Unknown
February 4 2014 Zithobeni community library, Bronkhorstspruit, Kungwini municipality
during Burnt public to the protests. ground More arrested. than 50 people Damage Unknown estimated —