Erring healers face arrest

SANFROSSA MANYINDA writes TRADITIONAL healers that have continued breaking the witchcraft Act risk being deregistered and handed over to the Zambia police, Traditional Healers Association of Zambia (THAPAZ) has said. The statement follows the association’s observation that many traditional healers were either breaking the witchcraft Act or not registered with the association. THAPAZ president, Rodwell Vongo, complained to The Sun that the number of members registering with the association had reduced compared to the number of healers that were practicing. “We will put in place control measures to try and regulate the influx especially on the part of international traditional healers from our neighbouring countries who mostly come into the country and start practicing without being registered,” Dr Vongo said. He observed that such a scenario entailed that many of them were not registered with THAPAZ, hence the rampant cases of breaching the law. “We are working hand in hand with Zambia Medicines Regulation Authority among other Government bodies in ensuring that our members remain genuine. “We have noted with great concern that only a few were registering while many have continued to masquerade as healers, a situation we want to put to an end,” Dr Vongo said.  He was, however, quick to mention that the association through its disciplinary committee would not hesitate to punish those that would be found going against the THPAZ constitution.  He said those that would be found committing criminal offences, would quickly be handed over to the Zambia Police for the law to take its course. Dr Vongo advised that it was important for traditional healers to comply with the laws pertaining to witchcraft, natural remedy, patient and healer relationships, and cultural norms among other issues. The Sun