SARTHO holds first compliance workshop in Leeuwfontein

Leeuwfontein

The South African Religious and Traditional Healers Organisation (SARTHO), has on Wednesday 31 July 2024, convened their first compliance workshop at the Leeuwfontein Community Hall in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM).

The workshop was joined by relevant stakeholders including Motetema SAPS, Department of Environmental Health as well as SARTHO Traditional Liaison Personnel Kgoshi Lesou Matlebjoane.

SARTHO was established a few years ago with the aim of regulating and promoting affairs relating to traditional healers across the country. The workshop was attended by more than 50 people from different parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces.

During the workshop, SARTHO Chairperson, Dr Ratholo Phahlane welcomed the attendees and applauded all traditional leaders who complied in line with their initiation school’s regulations set by the government.

He also sent a stern warning to traditional healers who accept minor children as payment for service they provided and also warned parents who give their daughters to traditional healers as payment, stating that it is considered to be human trafficking to do so.

A concern was raised by the Department of Environmental Health about indigenous plants that are considered to be protected species which are being cut down or dug from the roots.

The Motetema Police warned traditional healers about using human rituals or body parts as muthi, as a result of the rising number of children who go missing and later found mutilated.

SARTHO Limpopo Provincial Administrator, Dr Mathope Maduane, commended all attending stakeholders for taking part in the workshop, saying that their attendance will pave a way for future engagement.

“Our aim is to provide a platform for all stakeholders to come together and serve our respective communities. We would like to wish all our traditional healers a happy and blessed women’s month,” he said.

SARTHO Traditional Liaison Personnel, Kgoshi Lesou Matlebjoane, stated that traditional healers benefited a lot from information gained from the Motetema SAPS and Department of Environmental Health for addressing their members about issues that affects communities and the environment.

“I believe this is the beginning of our journey and we urge all our members to refrain from assisting criminals, especially traditional healers who assist criminals by giving them muthi to commit heinous crimes and those who hide them in their homes,” he said.