eMba residents have nothing to celebrate on Human Rights Day
Ms Thembi Msibi, Evander Court intermediary, said everyone has a right to government services such as reporting cases without being discriminated against.
eMBALENHLE – Community members of extention 16, known as Mandela Section in eMbalenhle raised their concerns during Human Rights Day celebrations that was organised by the community organisation, Men’s Voice.
The residents saw no need to celebrate this day, because all the spheres of government have failed them.
Pointing at sewage spills, they said they are living in an unhealthy environment.
“We don’t know why they want us to celebrate Human Rights Month, because our rights are being violated every day by the people who are supposed to protect us – like our municipality that is responsible for sewer maintenance.
“We are daily breathing in sewage fumes.
“We believe our human rights as stated in the Bill of Rights are violated,” said Mr Fikile Mabuza, a community member. Mr Mkhululi Lite from Men’s Voice said men should know their rights and responsibilities.
He said men should take full responsibility as heads of families in order for them to be respected.
“We are concern about men who do not take care of their families.
“It is rare to see a man take his child to school,” Mr Lite said.
“We visited schools trying to check on relationships between men and their children, but only to find that it is only women who take responsibility for their children.
“We want men to know that by not taking their children’s school issues seriously, they are indirectly violating their children’s rights,” said Mr Lite.
Ms Thembi Msibi, Evander Court intermediary, said everyone has a right to government services such as reporting cases without being discriminated against.
She said the courts are open to everyone because courts are custodians of human rights.
Ms Msibi appealed to people not to be afraid to go to court if they suspect someone’s rights are being violated.
Childline and Thuthuzela Care Centre talked about their programs that are aimed at restoring dignity and ensuring justice for girls, boys, women and men who are victims of sexual violence.
The community members said they have lost faith in eMbalenhle Police because they are not receiving the services that they deserve.
They feel the police don’t do enough to fight against crime and claimed that the police also violate human rights.
“Our community lacks knowledge, we cannot say that all the police members are unhelpful.
“I appeal to the community to report any human rights violations by the police to the seniors and station commanders, “said Sgt Thembi Motung, community policing officer at the eMbalenhle Police Station.
