SHARPEVILLE. – “Like ordinary people, the needs of the disabled people need to be taken care of.”

These are the words uttered by, Peter Motloung, the Chairperson and Manager of ‘All in One Disabled Association’, a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) that is based in Sharpeville and caters for the physically impaired. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Motloung said that it is ‘high time’ that people stop abusing the disabled and locking them inside houses.

Motloung’s organisation, with no funding at all, helps the disabled with a number of cases that they encounter ranging from abuse, grant applications and food supply.

“Social Workers, the people who are supposed to help us do nothing at all when matters affecting us are reported to them. The government does not care about us, but when it is voting time, they know where to find us.” he said.

As a manager of the organisation, Motloung said that they plead with ‘the powers that be’ to come to their rescue.

“A case in point that I am dealing with is of a disabled boy, Gift Mokoena, who does not get help from the government, he does not get any grant, any food or pampers for authorities because he does not have a birth certificate as his mother is from Lesotho but he was born here. The family is suffering, they live from hand to mouth through donations from ‘Good Samaritans.”

Motloung said that there are many cases of abuse, neglect and other issues that are sitting on his table where the government ‘refuses’ or ‘drags’ its feet to help the disabled.

“I am sick and tired because people with disabilities are not regarded as human, they do not have opportunities. This must come to an end. The recently elected Government of National Unity must play its role, they need to take care of us. Some of us were born like this while other were involved in accidents, however, all that we are asking for is basic care like every body else in this country, we are also citizens of this country.”