These wheels could be put to better use

MBOMELA – While scores of people with disabilities struggle to get by without wheelchairs, state hospitals are selling their used ones, which can still be salvaged, to scrap-metal dealers for a fraction of their value. Some of them, however, are donated to the underprivileged while most are destroyed.

Concerned residents have spotted a mountain of wheelchairs at a scrap-metal dealership in the city’s industrial area. According to the owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, they purchase them from all state hospitals in the province to make use of the steel.

However, the owner says he does hand out some of them to those in need. “It’s too sad to just destroy them. If I know the chairs go towards a good cause I will give them to the people who appreciate and take care of them.”

People had come to collect the wheel- chairs in the past and used the parts as spares. “If they can still be used, they will use them to restore their wheelchairs.”

If someone is willing to sponsor canvas to repair the wheelchairs, he will give them to organisations which will hand them out to those in need.

For now, however, the chairs are compressed and the aluminium is sold by the ton.

“We also receive aluminium crutches, most of which are in usable condition.”

These are also donated to the under- privileged who come knocking at the doors of the scrapyard.

The owner says he is going to approach Rob Ferreira and Themba hospitals to receive their wheelchairs in the future.