‘Prioritise people with disabilities’

ZANU-PF national chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has urged people of Mashonaland Central to prioritise the welfare of people with disabilities and the underprivileged from provincial to ward level.

Speaking during her visit to the province over the weekend, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the programme was established by President Mnangagwa and was being launched in all districts.

She said issues to do with people with disability were Zanu PF’s priority and should not only end in the party manifesto.

As the province facelifts and renovates hospitals in readiness to handle Covid-19, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri called for modern infrastructure, which is accessible to people with disabilities.

“People with disabilities need training and access to loan facilities to improve their livelihoods. Every child with disability should attend school. Identify the needs of people with disabilities in your communities,” she said.

“After your land audits, set aside some land and stands for them so that we give our people dignity. Take care of people with disability.”

She said disability was not inability and people with disability must take advantage of programmes meant to support them to become self-reliant.

She added that Government protected the rights of people with disability and had put aside resources to assist them on health issues.

“Our constitution talks about the rights of people with disabilities and the need to help the underprivileged. Resources set aside by Government help them to start income generating projects and to get an education,” she said. People with disabilities are marginalised, which has often led to their abuse while women have been burdened with caring for their children with disabilities. Government is chipping in by empowering those children with skills.

Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri castigated people taking advantage of the lockdown to make substandard sanitisers and overprice face masks and maize meal.

“Let us feel for each other during this difficult time. Protect our people and encourage farmers to plant wheat so that Government cuts on imports. Encourage those with excess maize to bring it to the Grain Marketing Board. The maize producer price was increased to $12 300.”