Traditional health practitioners in KwaZulu-Natal are being called upon to register with the Department of Health, amid growing concerns over the alleged misuse of traditional medicine in criminal activities.
The appeal follows reports that some traditional healers—particularly in the Newcastle area—have been providing muthi to gang members, who believe it will help them avoid arrest. Authorities say the practice has been linked to a rise in violent crime, gang activity, and gender-based violence (GBV) across the region.
During a community engagement at Osizweni Community Hall on Tuesday, Sabelo Shabalala, chairperson of a traditional health practitioners' group, met with Premier Thami Ntuli to discuss ways to strengthen regulation and collaboration.
"Traditional healers must come and be registered under the database of the Department of Health, along with other government databases," said Shabalala.
Premier Ntuli emphasized the need for a strategic partnership between traditional practitioners and the provincial government.
"We are hopeful that from here, we’ll be engaging them from various areas. We are planning a provincial seminar soon, where we’ll agree on a strategic partnership that positions traditional healers as key players in cultural preservation and societal development," he said.
The Department of Health continues to urge unregistered traditional healers to formalize their status, ensuring accountability and the ethical use of indigenous knowledge.