People with disabilities feel neglected in Sekhukhune district

 

 

Persons with disabilities raised concerns during the joint presentation of the joint Draft Annual Report programme of Sekhukhune District Municipality and Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality in Riba Cross Village at Lehlaba Secondary School on March 25.

 

The problem arose after the Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality’s documents for the programme were not available in braille to allow blind or visually impaired individuals to read through touch.

 

The members of the concerned special groups condemned the local municipality for not taking the interests of people with disabilities seriously.

 

According to the groups, the issue of unavailability of braille during such gatherings is persistent.

 

The special groups indicated that last year’s meeting also did not have documents in braille.

 

“We encountered the same problem at Mohlaletse Village. This clearly shows that the local municipality undermines people with disabilities in the area,” said Justice Mahlakwana.

 

They requested that the gathering proceed with the programme without the presentation of the local municipality’s Draft Annual Report due to the unavailability of braille-printed documents, citing issues of inclusivity.

 

The groups further worried that Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) Executive Mayor Minah Bahula and local Mayor Eddie Maila, who are supposed to lead such meetings, were not available and sent representation instead.

 

SDM MMC for Planning and Economic Development Alfred Matlala, on behalf of Mayor Bahula, noted the affected groups’ concerns, highlighting the need for the local municipality to address the inclusivity matter with the urgency it deserves.

 

The IDP presentation focused on service delivery improvements and challenges in the year under review of the local and district municipalities.

 

Justice Mahlakwana, a person living with disability, said the municipalities need to implement their plans urgently and not make talk shows.

 

Mahlakwana stressed on the need to address the issue of employment of people with disabilities in municipalities.

 

Kgoroshi Ndlovu, also living with a disability, said the needs of people with disabilities are not taken seriously by the municipalities.

 

“Our people must be given equal opportunities. We are not seeing that happening in our communities. That needs immediate intervention,” said Ndlovu

 

Lekau Lekola from Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, Phetwane Village highlighted the significance of addressing water shortage issues in various local municipalities.

 

“The current situation endured by residents will make you lose power one day,” Lekola said.

 

MMC Matlala noted the concerns of the members of the special groups and committed that the municipalities will work hard towards finding solutions.