Disability groups call for equal rights
Community members were urged to protect the rights of people living with disabilities
To unpack some of the issues faced by disabled people, a Daveyton-based organisation, Zamokuhle Disability Community Centre, in collaboration with Zimeleni Disabled Organisation from Mpumalanga, held an awareness campaign on July 27 in Daveyton.
Officials from the Department of Social Development, Department of Human Settlement (Ekurhuleni) and Putfontein police attended the educative campaign.
According to Boyzee Mkhwanazi of Zimeleni Disabled Organisation, the session was aimed at educating the public about people living with disabilities.
“Disabled people are still experiencing discrimination and unfair treatment from the community as well as family members. We have come across cases where disabled women have been raped by close relatives.
“Perpetrators took advantage of the victims because they can’t fight for themselves or even talk. We will continue to fight for the rights of people living with disabilities but we are appealing to the community to protect them.
Mkhwanazi called upon the Department of Housing to identify how many disabled people in communities qualify for a house and whether these houses be built according to their needs.
The founder of Zamokuhle Disability Community Centre, Zanele Shamase, urged attendees to love and protect the vulnerable.
“People with special needs are not treated equally and are often neglected by family members.
“Others are shown love and care only on grant collection day because they want their monies. People living with disabilities are unique and special and should be treated with dignity. We also extend our appeal to local businesses to support us in the work that we do,” said Shamase.
Meanwhile, Constable Sfiso Manyike said they as police are also trained on how to deal with vulnerable people within the community.
He further urged community members to report offences against people living with disabilities.
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