Pres Zuma considering concerns from disability activists

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is considering the matters raised by the various disability organisations and activists on his decision to relocate functions related to disability in his government, says the Presidency.

The Presidency has received a letter objecting to the President’s decision to move the functions to the Department of Social Development. 

“The President is considering the matters presented in the letter and feedback will be provided in due course,” his spokesperson Mac Maharaj said on Friday.

The concerns were also raised with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa during the Youth Day commemoration, in Kimberley.

During the announcement of the new National Executive, last month, President Zuma reconfigured the Ministry of Women, Children and People with Disabilities into a Ministry in the Presidency focusing on Women.

The functions related to the support of children and people with disabilities were transferred to the Department of Social Development. 

Despite the move, Maharaj says, President Zuma’s government recognises and addresses the human rights’ issues of those with disabilities.

“It will continue to integrate people with disabilities into all aspects of the country’s socio-economic development.” – SAnews.gov.za