WE WANT DISABILITY GRANT – SHOT CIVILIANS

MBABANE – Some civilians who were shot and injured allegedly by the police during the political unrest want to benefit from the social grants provided by government.

In particular, these civilians want to be included as beneficiaries for the social grants owing to their disabilities. Many people were shot, allegedly by security personnel during the political unrest that engulfed the country in recent months. Most of the shot victims had to be amputated. According to the victims, the need for the grant was due to that they could no longer make the money they used to, to take care of themselves and their families before they were shot. They said as a result of the unrest, they were now unemployed and their families were suffering, never mind that they were now living with a disability. In an interview with this publication, they all requested government to set aside funds that would help them monthly to make ends meet.

Disabilities

Alternatively, they requested to be included with those with disabilities and were receiving a social grant through the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office. Among them is Sikhumbuzo Batter (46), who stated that before he was shot, he worked as a crossborder truck driver. Batter stated that he previously earned E10 000 or more monthly depending on the hours he worked. He said the shooting incident negatively changed his financial situation as he now could not even afford to go to hospital. “Every time I am asked about this, I really get emotional. My children are not used to this life, as before I was shot, they knew that daddy could do anything for them. What makes it worse is that I was not even part of the protest but was coming from the hospital. I have a doctor’s report to prove that. I am an old man who suffers from asthma and that day I was coming from the hospital and was on my way home,” he said. When questioned if he had sought financial assistance from government, he mentioned that he did not know the processes to follow in order to receive any form of assistance. He also said he did not think that government would help people who were hurt during the unrest.

Another victim, identified as Kash, who is originally from Mozambique, stated that he had not been able to work ever since he was shot. He said to provide for his family, which included a three-week-old baby, he had to sell his properties, which included his car and household furniture. He said without any assistance, he feared that he would end up selling everything in the house. “I am unable to work anymore and have resorted to selling the things in my house, including my furniture, in order to make money. I fear that soon, I will sell everything and not be able to provide for my family anymore. I currently have a daughter, who is three weeks old and I fear that I will not be able to take care of her and my whole family. At this point, I am open to any form of help whether from the government or just people,” he said.

He further mentioned that he feared that because he was a foreigner, he would not benefit from the assistance provided by government.  He further said as a result of being shot, he was unable to take care of his father, who was suffering from a mental illness. He said he feared that his father would die of hunger. Linda Ndzabukelwako said before being shot allegedly by the police, he would make money through playing soccer. He said the grant would assist him by covering his living expenses, which he was able to cater for from his soccer career and doing other odd jobs. “I am in need of financial assistance and at this point I would appreciate any form of assistance. I was shot in the leg and even though it was not amputated, the wound has not healed and I have to consistently go to the hospital to have it assessed,” he said.

He mentioned that currently, he could not afford frequently visiting the hospital to have his wound checked by the doctor. As a result, he said the wound had not healed yet. Sandile Mathobela, who also was injured, said he was the breadwinner at home and could now no longer take care of his wife and two children. He said he could not even afford his medical expenses. Mathobela mentioned that in an instance where government was willing to offer them the grant, it would help him and his family cover their basic needs. “I just need financial assistance. It does not matter how much it is. The thought of not being able to go back to my carpentry business saddens me. I am hoping that government will have mercy on us and assist us with anything,” he said.

Needs

In an interview with this publication, the Federation Organisation of the Disabled People in Swaziland (FODSWA) President Sipho Dlamini said government should provide the basic needs of the people who were injured during the political unrest. Dlamini accused government of being responsible for the injuries which inhibit some of the injured people from taking care of themselves and their families. He said currently, government had not allocated any funds towards helping the  disabled members of the public who were injured during the protests in June and July. Dlamini mentioned that FODSWA and government were looking into a Bill which would give people with disability in the kingdom access to funds that would be provided by government.
“Government owes these people because they are now living with disabilities as a result of the injuries they sustained at the hands of the security forces. Currently, the only fund that assists people with disabilities is the disability grant but what is unfortunate is that not every person with a disability qualifies for the grant,” he said.

He further expressed hope that after the Bill had been passed by Parliament, the people who were injured during the unrest would be among those to benefit. The Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, was questioned on whether or not government would assist the people by granting them their request of having government assist them through monthly grants. Masuku stated that all emaSwati who had queries had to seek assistance from the relevant platforms. He said in the communities, there were places where people could go and express their concerns.  “The Tinkhundla unit or areas inspired by a policy of decentralisation of the state power, are the engines of development and the central pillars underpinning the political organisation and economic infrastructure of the country through which social services to different parts of the community are facilitate and developed,” he said.

The DPM’s office regulations state that a person with a physical or mental disability, which made them unfit to work for a period of longer than six months, can apply for the disability grant. Such persons, according to the regulations, are eligible for permanent disability grants if their disability would continue for more than a year. Also, the regulations provide for a temporary disability grant if the disability will last for a continuous period of not less than six months and not more than 12 months. The disability grant is currently E280 per person per month.

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