SARTHO calls traditional healers to comply
SEKHUKHUNE
As the summer initiation school period started in Limpopo, the South African Religious and Traditional Healers Organization (SARTHO), has issued a stern warning to traditional healers who operate initiation schools without permits.
The organization said the warning was issued after they have received numerous complaints from the public about non-complying schools during the previous winter initiation schools’ period in the province.
After the winter initiation period, some of the academic schools complained about pupils who did not return to school in time due to initiation schools exceeding prescribed time.
SARTHO Chairperson, Dr Ratholo Phahlane, said the organization conducted a number of consultations with implicated schools in the province to ensure their future compliance with regulations set by the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) and the Limpopo Department of Health (LDoE).
“The consultations were aimed to engage with implicated schools and traditional authorities affected by this behaviour which is perpetuated by initiation schools’ principals. We advised them that there is no traditional organization that issues permit or certificate to operate initiation school, only traditional council and Department of Health will issue the documents,” he said.
Phahlane indicated that SARTHO also warned those who use copies or permits from other provinces without informing the traditional authority that they will be criminally charged.
SARTHO General Secretary, Jeffrey Hlabirwa Walker, said the organization has learnt that some of patients who visit SARTHO aligned traditional healers to seek help, notably women, are manipulated and engage in sexual activities without their consent.
“I believe all members of SARTHO have an obligation towards the community. It is unacceptable for members to take advantage of their clients and we believe it is wrong for a traditional healer to engage in sexual activities with those under their care. It is becoming a serious problem as some take advantage of mentally challenged, physically challenged and children from poor families as they are aware that they trust and depending on them for assistance,” explained Walker.
He said the organization had already engaged with those who were victimised with the hope of handing their matter to relevant authorities.
“SARTHO has also sent a delegate to Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders for intervention. We urge members of the community to make sure that they consult with properly trained and registered traditional healers,” said Walker.
Kgoshi Lesoku Matlebejane, who is SARTHO Traditional Liaison Officer, said the organization is shattered by the unacceptable behaviours of the members and traditional healers in general, stating that they are supposed to be guardians to those under their watch instead of victimising them.
“Such action violates the constitution of SARTHO but expelling them is not enough. We urge victims to go to the authorities because this will continue while damaging the reputation of traditional and religious healers in general,” he said.
Furthermore, Matlebjane appealed to traditional healers who wish to apply or renew their initiation permits to go to their traditional authorities.
He advised them to not accept any permit without meeting with the traditional council in their area.
“We also urge the public to report any traditional healer who abuses their clients, especially women and children. We will hand the matter to the police for action,” said Matlebjane.
