Disability advocate Dr Cornelius Chituka has called […]

Disability advocate Dr Cornelius Chituka has called for street beggars to be relocated to support centres where they can receive care and engage in productive activities instead of relying on begging for survival.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times-ZBT Dr Chituka said the Government should revitalise centres that previously provided support to persons with disabilities, arguing that such facilities could help address street begging while restoring dignity to those affected.

 He cited the Kaunda era, saying there were no street beggars at the time because people with disabilities were accommodated and supported through institutions and centres.

 “During the Kaunda days, there were no street beggars. Why? Because the farms were where these people were supposed to be. They were well looked after and funded,” he said.

Dr Chituka named Kangonga, Kambowa, Mutongoro, Masaiti, Mimosa and Cheche among the centres he said could be revitalised to provide alternative support and opportunities for persons with disabilities.

He said begging did not promote dignity and that affected individuals should instead be helped to find meaningful activities and sustainable sources of income.

“There’s no dignity in begging, and we don’t support such as leaders of persons with disabilities,” he said.

However, Dr Chituka urged authorities to make exceptions when relocating persons with disabilities to markets, noting that some market spaces were too small and inaccessible for them.

He said the Government should also help persons with disabilities benefit from empowerment programmes, including opportunities through the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), to establish businesses and other income-generating activities.

Article by Karen Ngulube