Media statement

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Mrs Weziwe Thusi and eThekwini Mayor, James Nxumalo yesterday held a meeting with people with disabilities who are under the care of the KwaZulu-Natal Society for the Blind and Deaf. 

The meeting was aimed at finding common ground with members of the society over the latter’s relocation to a temporary shelter since the one they are they are currently occupying (Clarendon Home, in Durban) is undergoing renovations.

The Department of Social Development had made available its Ilovu Skills Training Centre, south of Durban, to accommodate the members until renovations are complete at Clarendon Home. The home has been condemned and not suitable for human habitation.

Yesterday’s meeting unfortunately deadlocked as society members indicated that they were not prepared to move to Ilovu.

MEC Thusi has since indicated that the Department was still prepared to engage with the members in order to find common ground.

“It is so unfortunate that the meeting reached a deadlock. Government has done all it could to ensure that the matter is resolved, but we are still prepared to engage with the members so that the matter could be resolved,” said MEC Thusi.

The Department and the municipality are not directly involved in the matter.

Mayor Nxumalo said: “Although we are not directly involved in this matter, but as the Municipality, working together with the Department, we are willing to offer any possible assistance in order to find an amicable solution. We hope that sanity will prevail.”

Issued by:

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development and eThekwini Municipality

For more information, contact Vukani Mbhele on 083 307 8964 and Thabo Mofokeng on 082 731 7456

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