Disabled sign National Anti-Sanctions Petition

in Dzivaresekwa to sign the National Anti-Sanctions Petition.
Ms Julie Chiondegwa co-odinator of Tashinga Organisation of the Disabled founded in 2002, said they had been facing a number of challenges since the imposition of illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe by the West.
“We have not been able to get funds for our projects since the sanctions were imposed. The International Monetary Fund ceased funding for projects in this nation therefore affecting us as well,” she said.
Ms Chiondegwa said there was no form of transport conducive for the disabled and they struggle when they want to travel.
The disabled have of late been unable to access provisions such as wheelchairs and clutches which have to be imported from other countries, because of sanctions.
Medical services that used to be rendered for free by homes for the disabled and hospitals are now being paid for.
Mrs Alice Charima who has a 12-year old disabled son said she had to pay US$15 for half an hour of physiotherapy for her son at St Giles Home.
Mr James Chinhape, a committee member of the organisation expressed deep concern over the effects of the sanctions on the economy, which in turn have greatly affected ordinary citizens.
“The sanctions are heavily affecting the able-bodied people and it’s even worse for us the disabled, so we say no to sanctions,” he said.
The chairperson of the organisation, Mrs Gladys Munyukwi had this to say: “Pazvinodai pamuti munyoro ko kuzoti wakaoma?”
The anti-sanctions campaign was launched a month ago by President Mugabe in Harare.
The petition seeks to collect at least two million signatures to show Zimbabweans’ displeasure over the West’s illegal sanctions regime. The signing of the petition by the physically challenged comes in the wake of signing by a number of religious groups that participated in the campaign.