By Ncaba Ntshakala
Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has called on motorists to exercise extra caution when driving through busy areas to ensure the safety of people with disabilities.
This plea came after she visited Bheki Shabangu, a resident of Zone 4, Mbabane, who is currently hospitalized at the Mbabane Government Hospital after being hit by a car on September 2nd, 2024.
The driver fled the scene, leaving Bheki, who is deaf and unable to speak, seriously injured.
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The incident has brought to light the vulnerability of people with disabilities according to the Deputy Prime Minister, particularly those who cannot hear or communicate verbally.
This follows a tragic accident that occurred just weeks earlier, where a deaf student from Matsetsa High School was killed after being struck by a car.
The student was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Deputy Prime Minister said in this case, the driver never ran off but was able to take the child to the hospital.
“When you are deaf, you cannot hear a moving car, and most motorists assume that pedestrians crossing the road can see and hear their vehicles.
This is not the case. We have a significant number of people in our country living with disabilities, and they have every right to use public roads safely,” said Dladla during her visit.
Moreover, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the need for heightened awareness among drivers to prevent similar accidents.
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She urged her office and the Ministry of Public Works to collaborate on initiatives aimed at educating motorists on the importance of accommodating people with disabilities on the roads.
She further expressed her hope that greater awareness would help protect vulnerable pedestrians,
preventing future accidents and ensuring that the rights of all emaSwati, including those with disabilities, are respected and upheld.
