A disabled FF Plus councillor in the Rand West City Local Municipality (Randfontein, Westonaria) is finding it hard to attend council meetings because the elevator has been out of order for nearly a year.
Charles Brough, who is wheelchair-bound, must ask fellow councillors to carry him up the stairs to the first floor every time he needs to attend a council or committee meeting. In many cases, there is no-one to help him.
After meetings are adjourned, councillors usually depart quickly and then Brough and his helper are left struggling to get down the stairs on their own.
Carrying Brough up and down the stairs could seriously injure him and others.
The Municipality’s Speaker, Dumile Sithole, was informed of the situation earlier this year and undertook in writing on 27 July to see to it that the elevator is repaired.
The FF Plus also informed the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Mbali Hlophe, as well as the Department of Labour of the unacceptable situation.
The way this ANC-controlled council disregards the needs of people with disabilities and restricts their access to public buildings not only infringes on disabled people’s rights, but also violates their human dignity.
The FF Plus will continue to put pressure on the Speaker and the respective departments to address the matter and find a solution.
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