Herbalist suspected of rape
Dowa Police spokesperson Kondwani Kandiado said Kampanda, who claimed to be an expert in solving family problems, embarked on a door-to-door campaign in February to mobilise women and girls with various problems.
According to the police, it was after the campaign that many divorced women and young girls flocked to the “clinic†of the herbalist with various problems for treatment.
“On Tuesday this week, over 10 women and girls from the trading centre stormed Mponela Police Station to lodge complaints of being sexually abused and harassed by the herbalist,†said Kandiado.
Kandiado said one of the complainants, a 25-year-old woman, claimed the suspect agreed to give her herbs to enable her to reconcile with her husband who divorced her in 2010.
“The woman said she got the herbs only to be shouted at by her former husband when she tried to call him,†he said.
The spokesperson said the suspect was also giving some love portions (konda ine) and charms to young girls under the age of 18 to enable them to attract men. He was also claiming to have a cure for barrenness.
“A dozen of women who went to seek medication were ordered to undress so that he can administer some incisions [mphini] on their bodies. The suspect was forcing the victims to lie down so that he can perform his job professionally and later raped them in the process.
“Each woman was forced to pay a minimum of K2 000 for the service rendered. The suspect threatened the victims not to reveal the ordeal or risk death,†said Kandiado.
Kampanda comes from Kawamba Village in the area of T/A Mponela in Dowa.
