By Mduduzi Hlophe

MATSAPHA: Allen Long, the Director of the Family Cash and Carry Supermarket at Mahhala Shopping Complex has apologised and donated food hampers to the disabled wheel-chaired woman who was harassed and denied entry to the Supermarket by his security guards because of her disability condition.

This was confirmed by Thembi Mthembu, a Supervisor at the supermarket who said Allen Long personally went to deliver the grocery to the disabled woman as an apology.

“Yes, we went to apologise to the woman and we have reached common ground, there was a misunderstanding between the management and our security personnel" she said.

When reached for comments, Lethukuthula Mathabela, the disabled wheel-chaired woman confirmed receiving the food hampers, however, she told this Swaziland News that the investigation by the Human Rights Commission must continue to ascertain how people living with disabilities are treated within that Supermarket.

"Its not about me, but the rights of people living with disabilities. I may accept the apology but that does not mean the investigation by the Human Rights Commission must be stopped, this is about people living with disabilities", she said.

Sipho Dlamini, the President of the Federation of Organisations of the Disabled in Eswatini (FODSWA) said the problem of harassing people with disabilities was not new with within the Supermarket 

“I have also received a call from another wheel chaired victim who was harassed at the same shop.That victim was eventually saved by the intervention of a certain police officer. We don’t want people to be pitiful towards us, we want to be treated like normal human beings, we strongly condemn their actions”, said the FODSWA President.