Traditional healer arrested for false claims linked to increased STDs and HIV

Nyasa. The District Commissioner of Nyasa, Peres Magiri, along with the Defence and Security Committee, has arrested a traditional healer known by the name "Askofu" in the Mbamba Bay area of Nyasa District.

The traditional healer was arrested for misleading fishermen on Lake Nyasa by selling them herbal medicines and falsely promising that engaging in sexual activities in the water can prevent HIV, ward off curses, and enhance fishing success.

This misinformation has led to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV among the local fishing community.

The healer was apprehended on September 3, 2024, while continuing with his business of selling herbal medicines to fishermen on the shores of Lake Nyasa.

This happened just a few days after The Citizen and its sister paper, Mwananchi, conducted an investigation that uncovered that traditional healers, including a figure known as ‘Askofu’, which is the Kiswahili word for ‘Bishop’, were selling herbal concoctions and charms to fishermen.

Speaking to the fishermen, DC Magiri provided education on the importance of not engaging in unprotected sex and urged them to disregard the false claims made by the healer, who had entered Nyasa District without following the proper procedures for registration and obtaining permits from the Medical Officer In-charge of Nyasa District Council.

Additionally, he instructed the police in Nyasa District to interrogate the suspect and take legal action if found guilty.

"Fishermen need to take precautions against HIV, which is transmitted through unprotected sex, and there is no healer who has medicine to cure or prevent HIV," said DC Magiri.

He urged the fishermen to uphold ethical standards by working diligently in their fishing activities and not to listen to the deceptive and baseless advice from the healer.

However, some fishermen, including Bonface Wadali and Kitara Mbwambwo, praised the District Commissioner for taking action to arrest and ban healers from conducting business without a permit in the area.

They also thanked health experts for providing education on HIV prevention and promised to take precautions and protect themselves from HIV infection.

The Acting Medical Officer In-charge of Nyasa District Steven Mbunda, stated that the district continues to educate all citizens, including fishermen, to take measures to protect themselves from HIV infection, with the total population standing at 42,338: 16,443 women and 25,895 men.

Earlier, The Citizen spoke with some fishermen who said they engage in unprotected sex in the water, believing that they would not contract HIV.

They mentioned that they do this after being convinced by a traditional healer that such acts help remove bad luck and increase their chances of catching more fish.

These products, sold in half-liter bottles for Sh5,000, are purported to boost sexual prowess and attractiveness.

The healer's offerings include powders said to remove curses and enhance desirability, which are to be consumed before engaging in sexual activities.

A fisherman Wille Mwangono revealed that many in the community have succumbed to the healer's claims, engaging in unprotected sex with women working on the beaches.

These women, often involved in selling alcohol and local brews, are seen as a means to increase one's appeal and fishing success.

Mwangono defended these practices, arguing that using the lake instead of paying for guesthouse rooms is financially beneficial.

"Here on the lake, fishermen save money by having sex in the water rather than paying for rooms. We believe that sex combined with water leads to better fishing, and we see the results," Mwangono stated.