By Panashe Divine Karidzagundi
The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the rights, dignity and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs), in line with national policies and constitutional obligations.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Minister Edgar Moyo said the Ministry remains guided by President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa’s national vision of “leaving no one and no place behind”, adding that Government continues to strengthen systems that ensure equal opportunities for all Zimbabweans.
The Ministry said the Department of Disability Affairs, established in 2018, derives its mandate from Section 83 of the Constitution, the newly gazetted Persons with Disabilities Act promulgated in November 2025, and the National Disability Policy.
The Department is responsible for supervising and implementing disability programmes, safeguarding rights, and mainstreaming disability issues across all sectors of Government.
According to Minister Moyo, Government has rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities. These include revolving loans and grants, disability vocational training fees, support through vocational training centres, the provision of assistive devices, institutional grants, and State Service disablement benefits.
“These initiatives have enabled thousands of persons with disabilities to access education, employment and economic opportunities,” the statement said.
The Ministry also urged civil society organisations, parliamentarians and community leaders to intensify collaboration and dialogue to build an inclusive Zimbabwe where persons with disabilities live with dignity, independence and equal opportunity.
Minister Moyo added that the Ministry is working closely with development partners and the corporate sector to ensure that no citizen is left behind.
Persons with disabilities in need of assistance are encouraged to visit their nearest Social Welfare Office, with services available across 86 district and community offices nationwide.
The reaffirmation comes as Zimbabwe continues to align its disability policies with regional and international standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.