Thieves stole equipment worth an estimated SCR 140,000 from the community centre in St Louis.
The theft was reported on Friday, 14 August. Victoria Scope spoke to St Louis parliamentary member Sathya Naidoo about the incident.
Naidoo said his office assistant informed him about the theft. However, he said he did not know exactly when it happened.
“It is discouraging. There has been a lot of investment made in the facility.” Naidoo said.
He said several honorary councils supported the centre through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Businessmen from the St Louis community also contributed voluntarily to the facility.
The centre aims to support youth development in the district.
“When such incident happens, it is annoying because you ask yourself, is it worth it to take the initiatives?” Naidoo said.
The stolen equipment includes two 65-inch televisions and two PlayStation 5 consoles.
Accessories and games were also taken, among other items.
The thieves also damaged cabling linked to several cameras inside the centre.
Naidoo said he believed the theft appeared planned. However, he said he was unsure whether the culprits had previously entered the centre.
He said the incident showed a need to strengthen surveillance at district level.
“I hope that concerned authorities take this situation seriously because a community centre is a government building,” Naidoo said. “If at a government building today people have the courage to steal from, what will they not do at private properties?” he added.
The entire ground floor of the centre serves as a space for young people. Naidoo said St Louis has some of the best youth hubs in the country.
Police have received a report about the theft and visited the crime scene, Naidoo confirmed. The St Louis Community Centre opened its doors in 2003.