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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
ZANU-PF Secretary for the Disabled and Vulnerable Cde Joshua Malinga has told people living with disabilities to fight for their rights as no one will do that for them.

Cde Malinga said this while addressing a meeting of youths with disabilities that was organised by a local organisation, Amplifying Youth Voices in Democratisation in Zimbabwe, yesterday in Bulawayo.

The Zanu-PF Politburo member narrated his life experiences to the participants, saying he did not become a politician, Bulawayo Mayor and lecturer through begging but fighting for recognition.

“There is no disabled person who enjoys any right in this country. We’ve no rights as disabled people. We’ve to deal with the attitudes of people who are ignorant but think they know things that affect us,” said Cde Malinga.

He said disabled youths should actively advocate for their rights through forming pressure groups which discuss their problems.

Cde Malinga said although the Government has created a theoretical framework to assist people living with disabilities, nothing concrete has materialised.

He said parents and guardians of people living with disabilities have a role to play in fighting for the emancipation of their children.

Cde Malinga said he grew up a confident child because his parents did not segregate him from other children.

“Disability is not in us. It’s within those ignorant people who’ve failed to observe our challenges and not worked to make it easy for us to enjoy our rights.

‘‘How are we expected to enter the High Court building in Bulawayo with all those steps?

‘‘Did the person who constructed the building consider us?” asked Cde Malinga.