Swakop nightclub vandalised

ONE of Swakopmund’s largest nightclubs, La Di Das, recently became a party spot for vandals, who caused damage estimated at more than N$450 000.

From the front office to the kitchen, the storeroom, the bar and dance floor were trashed. Lights were ripped from the ceiling; speakers, fridges and electrical boxes were dismantled and toilet paper lay strewn all over the floor.Obscene graffiti was spray-painted on the mirrors.”I’ve never seen anything like this,” the club manager, who did not want his name published, told The Namibian.”This is not just vandalism; this is sabotage.”He said the club had been closed for several months, and this gave the culprits adequate time to wreak havoc.They apparently gained entry by forcing open a window.Besides the damage caused, a large quantity of alcohol was also allegedly stolen.”They stole whatever they evidently did not manage to drink while having their party here,” the manager said.Empty and broken bottles and glasses on the bar counter and on the floor were evidence of this.The manager said he opened the club last week to find it in its chaotic state.”We were going to start preparing for the coming holiday season, and present our customers with another great party venue, but it seems there are elements that do not want us to open again,” he said.A charge of sabotage and theft was laid with the Swakopmund Police, and three men have been arrested.Lights were ripped from the ceiling; speakers, fridges and electrical boxes were dismantled and toilet paper lay strewn all over the floor.Obscene graffiti was spray-painted on the mirrors.”I’ve never seen anything like this,” the club manager, who did not want his name published, told The Namibian.”This is not just vandalism; this is sabotage.”He said the club had been closed for several months, and this gave the culprits adequate time to wreak havoc.They apparently gained entry by forcing open a window.Besides the damage caused, a large quantity of alcohol was also allegedly stolen.”They stole whatever they evidently did not manage to drink while having their party here,” the manager said.Empty and broken bottles and glasses on the bar counter and on the floor were evidence of this.The manager said he opened the club last week to find it in its chaotic state.”We were going to start preparing for the coming holiday season, and present our customers with another great party venue, but it seems there are elements that do not want us to open again,” he said.A charge of sabotage and theft was laid with the Swakopmund Police, and three men have been arrested.