Landmark decision for disabled people

In a ground breaking court case for people with physical disabilities, the Port Elizabeth Equality Court has delivered judgment in their favour regarding access to buildings.

The case against the minister of justice and public works department centres around lack of access to the Kabega Park police station by disabled people. Melissa McGregor, the magistrate, says the firearm licence office should be moved to the ground floor within the next month. She also ruled that a system like a wheel chair elevator should be brought into the current renovation plans and need to be completed within the next two years.

The national police commissioner and police area commissioner have been ordered to apologise in writing to the applicant for their attitude towards people with disabilities. The department of public works has been reminded that it is its responsibility to see to accessibility of all state buildings.