A Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) councillor with disabilities injured his back on Thursday when he, a helper and worker of the Rand West Local Municipality (Randfontein and Westonaria) fell down a set of stairs at the municipal offices in Randfontein.
Charles Brough, who uses a wheelchair, has to be carried up the stairs to the council chambers on the first floor, and down again, whenever the lift is out of service.
On Thursday, Brough was carried upstairs for the scheduled council meeting, but during the descent, one of his helpers slipped and lost their balance, and all three sustained injuries. Brough injured his back.
The lift was out of service for three months at the beginning of the year and the party asked the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, to intervene immediately.
The lift was repaired in March, but broke down again after a month.
This is not just the second time the lift has been out of service. Two years ago, it had been broken for over five months, also compelling the party to request the MEC’s intervention.
The party understands that the lift’s parts may be difficult to obtain, but not having a working lift for months on end is unacceptable. Several other individuals with health issues also require support to navigate the stairs to the first floor.
It cannot go on like this. The Rand West Municipality must ensure safe access to the council chambers for councillors with disabilities.
The Freedom Front Plus has already asked the MEC to intervene again.
Councillors are expected to attend meetings, yet councillors and community members with disabilities are not accommodated through safe wheelchair access.
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