Charge laid against bus firm over slur
A disabled man has opened a case of crimen injuria against a bus company after he was reportedly called a “crippled bastard”.
|||Cape Town - A disabled commuter has accused a local long-distance bus company, Eldo Coaches, of discrimination after he was reportedly labelled a “crippled bastard” for requesting a wheelchair ramp.
Francis Isaacs, 49, who is paralysed from the waist down, made a booking with Eldo Coaches in December. He was to spend the holidays with friends in Joburg.
The Strandfontein resident said: “I spoke to one of the sales agents over the phone and I explained to them that I am disabled and therefore asked if a ramp could be organised.
“I was told that I would be contacted by the manager. About an hour or two later, I was called back and the person introduced himself as Shadley (and said) the following words: ‘I do not want crippled bastards to travel on any of my coaches’. I was shocked at this remark, I did not know what to do.”
Isaacs said he was previously a victim of discrimination, especially when he took public transport to get around town.
However, he said that this specific incident “deeply hurt” him because the manager had the “audacity” to use derogatory terms.
The bus company’s human resources manager, Asma Moola, said that the manager in question, only referred to as “Shadley”, denied he spoke to Isaacs in a derogatory manner.
She said: “We as a company have investigated the matter and given a full response to Isaacs. We have apologised for any perceived hurt as my manager and staff completely deny that this conversation took place.
“My staff have confirmed that we have, in the past, facilitated travel for people with disabilities and do not understand why anyone would say anything different in this case. We stated in our mail to Isaacs on January 19 and again on January 21 that we had no objection to Isaacs travelling on or coaches. Our sole concern is the safety of all users.”
She said a meeting had been arranged between the parties. However, Isaacs apparently did not display an interest in the meeting.
“I am being absolutely transparent with the communication between the company and Isaacs and am really not sure what the agenda is here.”
Moola said the company would “vigorously defend” any attempt to “defame the company and its staff”. “We reserve all our rights in this regard,” she said.
Police spokeswoman Constable Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed that Isaacs had opened a case of crimen injuria at the Strandfontein police station against Eldo Coaches.
Isaacs also said he plans to approach the South African Human Rights Commission.
gadeeja.abbas@inl.co.za
Cape Argus