Dullstroom Epilepsy Centre manager calls for government to protect women and children living with disability
17 August 2012
Rebecca Mashigo, a manager of a centre for people with Epilepsy in Dulstroom has called on the MEC for Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr. Vusi Shongwe and his department together with the police to protect women and children living with disabilities, saying that they were more vulnerable to abuse.
Mashigo was speaking yesterday [16 August 2012] in Dulstroom during the handing over of food parcels by the department to the centre as part of honouring former President Nelson Mandela.
The centre which is called SA Epilepsy looks after 64 adults living with various disabilities and conducts awareness campaigns about epilepsy to nearby communities.
In her message of appreciation, Mashigo thanked the department for the support saying it will assist in the smooth running of the centre, however, said that there was still a lot that government needed to do to improve the lives of people living with disabilities.
“We get a lot of cases related to the abuse of women and children living with disabilities on a regular basis and we therefore need government to stop the perpetrators.
“We also require programmes that will focus on people living with disabilities to be considered and budgeted for by both the Municipality and the provincial government,” said Mashigo.
Meanwhile, MEC Vusi Shongwe said that as much as communities would like to be protected by the police, communities must also protect police officers and not kill them as they are part of the community.
“Police are not there only to arrest suspects of crime, but also to look after the vulnerable and provide support, and that is why we came with officers today to hand-over these food parcels,” said Shongwe.
He further called for individuals, government agencies and community leaders to make each day a Mandela Day so that it becomes easier for those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged to live normal lives and also to prioritize their needs.
The hand over was also attended by the Executive Mayor of Emakhazeni, Clr Hamza Ngwenya, Councilors and government stakeholders.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
