Traditional council says there is no place for fake sangomas in Ekurhuleni
As they were addressing the challenges of bogus traditional healers and practices in the region.
Tsakani – The Ekurhuleni Traditional Health Practitioners Forum said there is no place for bogus sangomas in Ekurhuleni.
This stern warning was uttered during the forums’ 20-year celebration at Faranani Multipurpose Center on Saturday.
The event was in partnership with the City of Ekurhuleni’s Multi-Sectoral HIV and Aids Programme.
Letty Skosana, the chairperson of the East Region, said no children under the age of 13 should go to initiation schools.
She said that education must come first.
“Not in our name should people be mutilated. Enough is enough with the senseless killings of people by fake sangomas.
“People’s body parts bear no superpowers whatsoever,” she said.
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The forum also reprimanded traditional healers who prohibit HIV-positive initiates from taking treatment.
“We are tired of burying our children. Having an ancestral calling has nothing to do with your HIV status.”
Thabiso Peo, executive manager for the HIV and Aids Multi-Sectoral Programme, said: “There are bogus traditional healers who claim to cure HIV and other chronic illnesses as well as perform penis enlargements. As the City of Ekurhuleni we are saying our people will not be misled by such horrendous misinformation.”He added that treatment remains available at health care facilities and is encouraging a cross-referral system between traditional healers and health practitioners.
Through the 20-year partnership, they have been able to train traditional health practitioners on primary healthcare, counselling for HIV and Aids, identifying cases of epilepsy and addressing myths associated with traditional health practices.
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Traditional healer Nonhlanhla Makhosazana Nkambule from the Duduza East said: “We attend to sangomas who are abusive towards initiates.
“And, those who remove learners from schools and take them to the initiation.
“Also, we attend to cases of sexual abuse between healers and initiates.
“People must also note that it’s not only male healers who abuse initiates sexually but women too.”
The chairperson of the Thembisa North region, Sydney Manyathela, encouraged the public to report fake traditional healers or any grievances relating to traditional health practitioners to their forum.
“Avoid these places claiming to perform same-time abortions even after three months and money rituals.
“This is how people get scammed.
“Fake sangomas in Ekurhuleni must be on the lookout because their time is limited,” he warned.
The Ekurhuleni Traditional Health Practitioners Forum can be reached on 073 567 0516, 072 521 5962 or 076 756 8722.
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