Homeless disabled man claims eMbalenhle police dumped him in veld
Ndimande sleeps in his wheelchair, pulling a blanket over himself. He yearns for an RDP house where he can bathe and live in dignity like anyone else.
Wheelchair-bound and homeless Bhekani Ndimande (47) sleeps outside the Ext 4 clinic in eMbalenhle, after the eMbalenhle police allegedly dumped him there.
According to Ndimande, paralysed by a stroke, he was sleeping at the eMbalenhle Police Station before police officers allegedly forced him into a police van.
He claims these officers dropped him and his wheelchair off near the clinic.
“They drove away without talking to the staff at the clinic.”
Ndimande cannot believe the police just dumped him in the veld because they are supposed to protect the vulnerable in society.
“I was shocked when they forced me into the police vehicle. They did not tell me where they were taking me. I was more stunned when they dropped me in the veld near the clinic and drove off – without saying anything.
“I do not know what I did wrong because I was staying and sleeping at the police station that belongs to our government,” he said.
Ndimande sleeps in his wheelchair, pulling a blanket over himself. He yearns for an RDP house where he can bathe and live in dignity like anyone else.
He said the clinic fence corner is now his shelter because he cannot move. He does not even have access to a toilet.
Constable Busi Mthethwa, eMbalenhle police spokesperson, said Ndimande was removed from the station because the community complained about Ndimande’s verbal abuse and alleged indecency.
