Government Turn A Deaf Ear and A Blind Eye To The Vulnerable

By Martha Leboho

The poor, vulnerable and people with disabilities plead with the government on the over promised Covid-19 cushion allowance which never came since the beginning of 2019 when the country was under a strict indefinite Covid lockdown period.

After registering and given new netone lines nothing was credited into these lines while the minister of public service labor and social welfare, Paul Mavhima stood in both Parliament and cabinet briefings claiming to have assisted the vulnerable people during the first lockdown with food and money amounting to RTGS $300.

The country is currently under level four (4) of the lockdown following an increase in recorded cases. Vulnerable groups haven’t got any assistance from the responsible persons and authorities and they are pleading with the government to help them.

Chapter 2, section 22 (2) of the constitution states that the State, all institutions and agencies of government at every level must, within the limits of resources available, assist persons with physical or mental disabilities to achieve their full potential and to minimize the disadvantages suffered by them.

Disability Amalgamation Community Trust (DACT) Director, Henry Chivhanga urged government to get a data base of People with Disabilities from Disability organizations so that they don’t leave any one behind for assistance of any nature.

“Whereas it is necessary to move to level 4 of the lock down not enough consultations were made with people with disabilities (PwDs) as stakeholders, our situation has worsened and more suffering is being experienced”
“We have no PPEs, food and dedicated transport for medical emergencies and physio-therapy” said Chivhanga.

“People with Disabilities had just started to reorganize their lives once again through vending and that was abruptly stopped. Our survival is by the grace of God through family, friends and we’ll wishers” he said.

Provincial Secretary for National Council of disabled persons of Zimbabwe, Moses Chitombo was of the same view also urging government to help people with disabilities with food and PPEs during this lockdown period.

“Lockdown has again brought misery to people with disabilities and others who are not formally employed, we work from hand to mouth for survival, and thus we have to work every day to bring a meal on the table let alone numerous unfruitful times we have approached the social welfare office for assistance said Chitombo.