SA: Disabled refugees struggle to survive

  1. Posted on Monday 15 December 2008 - 09:40
    Justice Zhou
    Image of Justice Zhou
    Justice Zhou, AfricaNews reporter in Johannesburg, South Africa
    Disabled Zimbabwe immigrants escaping hardships in their country turn to face even more difficulties in South Africa. Not only do they struggle to put food on the table, handicapped refugees fail to access safe accommodation and health facilities too. Some sleep in the open on street pavements.
    immigrant from Zimbabwe in South Africa_Elles van Gelder
    Others illegally occupy abandoned apartments, sharing the squalid buildings with potentially dangerous strangers. They risk evictions and live in constant fear of police and criminals.

    Since 2007, the number of blind beggars and amputees of Zimbabwean origin has been swelling significantly on the streets of Johannesburg. Their only meaningful alternative source of income is by soliciting aid from well-wishers.

    Rumbidzai Kwaramba, a blind refugee, has no choice but to stand in the sun each day, enduring the sweltering heat as she begs from passing motorists. ‘It’s quite hard out here, not everyone is generous, but at least I get something everyday to keep me alive’ she says in Shona language.

    As churches and humanitarian NGOs grapple to cope with the overwhelming influx of asylum seekers, the South African government refers to a social service delivery system that is ‘under strain’ due to limited resources, just to make matters worse.

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