By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Gaps remain in the employment and accommodation of people with disabilities within government departments in Beitbridge, according to findings presented during the 2025 fourth-quarter Human Capital Development Sub-committee report.
The update was presented on Friday during the Beitbridge Rural District Development Committee Meeting, held at the BBRDC Boardroom.
Presenting the report, Pardon Hungwe, the District Coordinator for the Public Service Commission (PSC), revealed that only 0.58% of the district’s employed government workforce consists of people living with disabilities.
He described the figure as concerning, noting that several established offices still lack adequate facilities to support employees with diverse needs.
Hungwe said the issue begins with infrastructure that often does not meet accessibility standards.
“For instance, here in Beitbridge, most storied buildings do not have elevators,” he said.
“Workplaces must be designed to be conducive for people with disabilities. Door ramps should be built, office locations must be accessible, and ergonomics should align with the physical needs of staff,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of making assistive devices available to employees who require them to work effectively.
Hungwe urged Human Resources Officers (HROs) to actively mobilise partners and organisations that can support accessibility upgrades.
He further encouraged people with disabilities seeking employment to register with the Public Service Commission’s Job Seeker platform, saying this increases their opportunities for placement within government institutions.
He said improving accessibility and representation is essential to ensuring meaningful participation of people living with disabilities in Beitbridge’s workforce.