The Sunday Mail
Religion Writer
THE fate of genuine traditional healers in the country is in limbo as the profession has been invaded by unscrupulous and bogus practitioners, a Harare-based traditionalist has lamented.
Director of medical research with Zinatha Sekuru Elisha Mutanga said fake traditional and faith healers were appearing before the courts on charges ranging from sexual abuse to fraud and fake healing.
The practice nowadays, he said, was characterised by frauds – leaving genuine practitioners exposed.
“We will soon launch a countrywide operation, monitoring and inspecting traditional healers. This we hope will in a way reduce these bogus healers,” Sekuru Mutanga said.
He added that all traditional healers not registered with any organisation affiliated to the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council, which operates under the Ministry Health and Child Care, should cease operations.
“All these fake healers should know that their days are numbered as we cannot sit back and watch them ruining the trade.
“People should consult only healers who have valid certificates from recognisable organisations. It is true that our trade has been invaded by fake healers but we are doing everything in our hands to try and bring the culprits to book, to save the trade as well as protecting our clients.
“We will be working together with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to bring these culprits to book as you know that it is a crime to operate without a certificate,” he said.
Established in 1981 under the Traditional Medical Practitioners Act, TMPC has over 3 400 practising members on its register.
Sekuru Friday Chisanyu, president of the Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association, said they issued subscription cards to their members after thorough vetting, and referred them to TMPC for licensing.
“We are witnessing many young people masquerading as faith and traditional healers operating without licences and we know that they are only doing this for the sake of money.
“Even though we have seen quite a number of faith and traditional healers coming forth for registration, it is true that many are yet to comply,” said Sekuru Chisanyu.
Over 40 faith and traditional healers were de-registered by TMPC for improper and disgraceful conduct since 2010.
Those who qualify to register with TMPC are herbalists, traditional birth attendants, those who run herbal clinics and maintain herbal gardens, traditional surgeons, traditional psychiatrists, spiritualists, diviners and faith healers.
Among registered members are the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association, the Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa, the International Traditional Healers Association, the Zimbabwe Traditional Healers Association and the Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association.
