Chief pushes for disability levy

The Senate Thematic Committee on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has recommended the establishment of a disability levy to cater for the welfare of disabled persons.

Deputy president of the Chiefs' Council, Chief Lucas Mtshane, made the recommendations while presenting the first report in Senate of the Thematic Committee on MDGs, which he chairs.

"Government needs to come up with a disability policy to cater for the disabled and decentralise offices so that quotations for assistive devices for people living with disabilities are accessible to avoid the disabled travelling long distances," the chief said.

There is need for introduction of a disability levy for the welfare of disabled persons, and the government needs to introduce disability desks in all ministries and government departments.

Other recommendations included that the government should expedite harmonisation of the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities with existing laws.