The alleged assault on an ambassador of the Special Olympics in Vhembe, international athlete Rofhiwa Manwadu, has ignited widespread uproar and outcry all over the country.

Last Wednesday, hundreds of supporters, who included councillors, community members and other concerned residents, marched from Thohoyandou Town Hall to the local Magistrate’s Courts. They handed over a memorandum detailing their grievances about the handling of the cases that involve disabled people, including that of Manwadu, by the police in the Vhembe area.

The march was to highlight the plight of the disabled during the appearance of Dakalo Ntshavheni, the woman alleged to have assaulted the disabled Rofhiwa. She has been charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The crowd sang freedom songs and denounced women who rape disabled people.

Mr Lufuno Tshifhango of the Disabled Persons' Forum read the memorandum before presenting it to the police. He said disabled people were not taken seriously when they reported matters to the police. "Their rights are being violated every day and cases are being swept under the carpet," he said.

He alleged that many cases were reported and no investigations were undertaken, even when there was evidence to link the suspects. He cited the case of Rofhiwa and stated that the forum was worried because the police were doing nothing about it. "There is a video at the hotel where the incident took place, but the police did not bother to go there to collect it and use it as evidence," Tshifhango said.

Tshifhango also cited a case where two disabled people were made to drink water mixed with soap and they ended up vomiting blood. "When they reported the case, they were turned away," he added.

Mr Ntodeni Khangale, chairperson of the Thulamela Disability Forum, said they came to support Rofhiwa in order to make a point that they were aware that cases involving disabled people were not treated fairly. "We are helpless, because the police do not listen to us," he said.

The memorandum was accepted by Lt Col Abel Mashamba on behalf of the station commissioner. He urged the residents to do their part in the fight against crime. After handing over the memorandum, the marchers peacefully entered the court building where the suspect was to appear, only to be disappointed as the suspect was not in court.

A warrant of arrest was issued against her and the matter was postponed to 15 July.

In a twist of events, Manwadu was robbed of his personal belongings the following morning while on his way to work at the local municipality. It is alleged people in a white sedan waited for him and robbed him of his possessions before speeding away.

Thohoyandou police spokesperson Major Mashudu Malelo said the memorandum would be attended to. About the handling of cases involving disabled people, Malelo said they had a good working relationship with disabled people.