Herbalists’ body restricts adverts

The Malawi Traditional Healers Umbrella Organisation (Mthuo) has come in to restrict advertisements that traditional healers place in the media.

In a statement dated November 1 2013 and signed by Mthuo president Professor Samson Dimingu Yohane, consent should be given by the organisation before placing an advertisement.

“All traditional medicine advertisements should not be published unless they are accompanied by a letter of approval from the Malawi Traditional Healers Umbrella Organisation (Mthuo),” reads the statement in part.

The organisation noted that some people go to the media to place false claims through advertisements about their traditional medicine and their healing power. This, according to Mthuo, has been causing havoc to the general public as the advertisements are fake and don’t really heal or provide a fortune as they claim.

The Malawi Law Society (MLS) also cautioned such traditional healers against placing some advertisements which are criminal in nature.

This was in response to some advertisements which appear to encourage employees to steal from their organisations because they have charms that would protect them from arrest.

Another one claimed that a man could get three times his or her salary if he or she is given charms.

MLS secretary Felisah Kilembe said such advertisements are criminal in nature because they are soliciting or inciting someone to commit a crime. This was contrary to Section 124 of the Penal Code.

Malawi Police Services (MPS) national spokesperson Rhoda Manjolo said there is no specific legislation that could be used to corner herbalists.

“The only statute that could come closer is Section 181 of the Penal Code which deals with conduct likely to cause breach of peace,” said Manjolo.