07 Dec 2023

Assistant Minister for State President, Mr Dumizweni Mthimkhulu has applauded legislators for unanimously supporting the Persons with Disability Bill. 

Responding to MPs comments in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Mthimkhulu said even though presented on a certificate of urgency, intensive consultation was done before and during drafting of the Bill. 

He said the Bill promoted equal opportunities to employment as well as ensuring that persons with disabilities were well catered for to make meaningful contribution to the economy. 

He said government through the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, was making efforts to cater for students with disabilities, but appreciated that a lot had to be done, among others providing them with skills. 

Additionally, he said the language policy was being implemented to improve communication with those with hearing and speech disabilities as well as ensuring that they adequately acquire education. 

Earlier on, Sefhare-Ramokgonami MP Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang urged government to ensure that Bills presented to Parliament and passed into law were fully implemented and not adopted for the sake of keeping up with international standards. 

He said it was unfortunate that the Bill was presented through a card of urgency, therefore not giving legislators enough time to consult relevant stakeholders and intended beneficiaries. 

Dr Gobotswang also said issues of people with disabilities were left in the hands of the private sector as it was the case with what was being done by Itekeng Batswana Disability Association in his constituency. 

He added that even though Mmutle Primary School in his constituency was supposed to be enrolling students with disabilities, there was no plan on how such students would be brought to the school. 

He said people with disabilities were not homogeneous as they differ in social class and type of disability; therefore, it was advisable for government to come with a package that would cater for case by case not a one size fits all kind of arrangement. 

Mahalapye West MP, Mr Yandani Boko said there was an urgent need of mindset change to afford persons with disability timely services that would make them enjoy their lives. Additionally, he urged social workers to up their game, saying there was an outcry of poor service. 

Meanwhile, Okavango legislator, Mr Kenny Kapinga said in principle he was not in contention with the Bill but was only concerned that it was presented under certificate of urgency. 

Mr Kapinga talked about clause 27, which says a care giver found to be a person with disability will be liable without option of fine or without suspension of any part thereof to a term not less than 10 years. 

He said the Clause if not paid attention to, had the potential to deter an ordinary person from volunteering their care giving to persons with disabilities. Maun West Legislator, Mr Dumelang Saleshando said a government was judged on what it was able to do for those that were in need as it was the case with the disabled. 

Mr Saleshando said it was unfortunate that the 12^th Parliament was only rubber-stamping laws before making necessary considerations. 

He said during his recent kgotla meetings, persons with disabilities were not pleased with how they were assessed with regulations for destitution. He also added that the correct terminology was to refer to them as people who were differently abled not persons with disabilities. ENDS