Zimpapers Logo

Blessings Chidakwa in Kadoma
People living with disabilities have called on Government to continuously better their welfare.

They also called for more representation in Government structures.

In an interview on Wednesday, the National Disability Empowerment Trust of Zimbabwe chairperson Mr Moses Marufu said the Constitution should be amended to include such a provision.

“The Constitution should be amended to give people with disabilities the right to self-representation. We should be represented in both the Lower House and the Senate.

“Each of the 10 provinces should be represented by a councillor, Member of Parliament and a Senator with a disability.”

He said Government should consider letting people living with disabilities man desks at all its departments.

“We want disability desks manned by officials with disabilities in all Government departments with a view to promote our interests,” he said.

He also implored Government to ensure that people living with disability access the $5 million Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe loan facility as some financial institutions were reportedly frustrating them.

“We have visited at least four district offices of the disbursing agents countrywide, including areas such as Dema, Makoni, Norton and Chegutu.

“They are saying they know of a disability revolving fund where only one beneficiary per district should access the fund and they are not giving the applicant the loan but were making payments to the applicant’s supplier of raw materials,” he said.