RAMAVHOYA – The Limpopo Department of Health and Welfare has threatened to take legal action against the ill treatment of mentally disabled patients.

This stern warning was issued during the Intellectual Disability Awareness Day held at the Ramavhoya show grounds last Wednesday. The gathering was supposed to be addressed by Health MEC, Sello Moloto, but he sent a Member of the Provincial Legislature, Mrs Nandi Ndalane to address the meeting on his behalf.

Mrs Ndalane said that hatred of the disabled is a violation of human rights, and a form of abuse as referred to in the Mental Health Act of 1973. The state is committed to the elimination of such violence. Relevant acts are in place and systems have been implemented, she said.

"These people are the most vulnerable to violence. Their incomplete development of the brains with associated physical disabilities at times incapacitates them to protect themselves against the unscrupulous acts of perpetrators. They become victims of violence and moreover silent victims because they can not express themselves and fail to give clear account or evidence of the acts of violence meted against them", she said.

The ceremony ended with the lighting of candles.