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Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (Zinatha) is scheduled to carry out a thorough “cleansing” to weed out bogus and non-registered members from operating in the country.
The move comes following an increase in the number of foreign traditional healers, purporting to be able to heal any ailment.
In an interview, Zinatha president Mr George Kandiero said it has come to the association’s attention that the healers were taking advantage of desperation by some locals to dupe them.
“We are facing a dilemma. Most of these foreign healers are seizing an opportunity to dupe citizens, as they are desperate for emancipation from the economic hardships. Therefore we are scheduled to embark on a very rigorous blitz to weed out unregistered and bogus traditional healers,” said Mr Kandiero.
He said the operation would entail re-registration of members and identifying unscrupulous healers, where they would be working hand in glove with the police.
“We will be working with the police so as to eliminate bogus healers. Those that are not registered will be fined or arrested while those that are fake will face prosecution and possible deportation, whereas foreigners are concerned. There are cases of even genuine healers becoming bogus because of the competition they are facing from these foreign healers. The exercise will be carried out throughout the country,” said Mr Kandiero.
He said it was unfortunate that most people would file complaints with Zinatha, after being duped.
“We will also be holding awareness campaigns with citizens and even traditional healers to conscientise them about how operations are to be done. We want the public to know that some of these street guys are a nuisance,” said Mr Kandiero.
He added that Zinatha was also pinning its hopes on the new Government to support traditional healers
“If the economy allows, we want to have healers that have registered shops in the city or wherever they operate,” said Mr Kandiero.
derick.khumalo