Visually impaired protest over food aid

ABoUt 30 visually impaired people in Chivhu on thursday took to the streets to protest against alleged discrimination on food distribution, which they said left them on the verge of starvation during the lockdown period.

they alleged that they were being segregated for unknown reasons by local authorities during distribution of donated food hand-outs.

the visually impaired walked along the Harare-Masvingo Highway in Chivhu’s central business district towards the district social welfare offices waving placards, shortly before they were interrupted by the police.

no comment could be obtained from Mashonaland east police spokesperson Inspector tendai Mwanza.

But a police source told NewsDay they had to stop the demonstration because the protesters were violating lockdown rules.

“they were walking as a group without exercising social distancing, which is against regulations put in place to fight coronavirus. therefore, we had to stop the demonstration,” he said.

one of the placards read “Stop blind abuse”.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Paul Mavhima could not be reached for comment on his mobile phone.

However, Chikomba West legislator and Health deputy minister John Mangwiro said he received reports about the protest and was making efforts to address their plight.

“I was actually surprised to hear about the visually impaired protest,” Mangwiro said.

“on Sunday, I personally delivered food hampers door-to-door to the visually impaired and other vulnerable people in Chivhu, in accordance to the list of names that was provided to me.

“I am investigating on what could have led to the protest since we gave them food hampers four days ago.”

In an interview with NewsDay, one of the participants in the demonstration, who refused to be named for fear of victimisation, said they took to the streets to remind the government that they exist.

“We adhere to government rules that we should stay indoors during the lockdown, but when authorities are distributing food, they don’t remember us,” the protester said.

“We, therefore, have resorted to the street protest to air out our grievances. We depend on begging in the streets, but we cannot do so during the lockdown and self-sustenance is difficult.”

the visually impaired also lamented lack of access to information on current affairs since they do not have the necessary media to keep them updated.

After being stopped from demonstrating, the visually impaired were addressed by local chiefs and senior police officers who assured them that they would forward their grievances to the relevant government departments.