Prophet Miracle Paul’s advice to government as calls for punishing fake prophets who use mabhidhiri to trick Zimbabweans grow louder

HARARE – Concerns are mounting over the activities of some traditional healers and prophets in Zimbabwe, prompting calls for the government to strengthen regulations governing their practices to protect vulnerable members of the public from exploitation and abuse.

The appeal for stricter oversight comes in the wake of numerous reports of corruption and fraudulent activities perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals masquerading as genuine traditional healers, known as n’angas, and prophets.

A recent exposé in this publication highlighted the disturbing trend of fake prophets and n’angas claiming to use supernatural means, such as sending swarms of bees, to punish those who have wronged others. This follows the surfacing of videos on social media platforms like Facebook, depicting individuals seemingly under attack by swarms of bees.

Further investigations by the news crew have uncovered evidence of mabhidhiri (fake miracles or stage-managed prophecies), where individuals are paid to falsely testify to being victims of witchcraft or other ailments. These staged events are designed to deceive unsuspecting members of the public and extract money from them under false pretenses.

The probe also revealed a disturbing practice involving the theft and use of queen bees. These bees are allegedly placed on individuals, attracting swarms of other bees that surround the person without actually stinging them, creating a spectacle intended to impress and manipulate onlookers.

Prophet Miracle Paul of Chitungwiza has added his voice to the growing chorus of concern, urging the government to intervene and enact robust legislation to safeguard the public from these deceptive practices.

“It seems that there are no strict laws to protect the public from these prophets, n’angas, and other traditional healers,” Prophet Miracle Paul stated. “Look, anyone can just decide to pray in the bush, and you see them setting up a ‘musososo’ (makeshift structure) without even a toilet or water, and they start gathering people without anyone questioning them. No one checks their background to see where they came from; sometimes, it’s a murderer who escaped from where they were and has now come to live in this bush.”

Prophet Miracle Paul argues that the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (TMPC), operating under the Ministry of Health and Child Care, must take a more proactive role in regulating the conduct of traditional healers and prophets. He advocates for the implementation of stringent measures to punish those found guilty of exploiting or harming the people they are meant to serve.

“TMPC is the organisation that sets the rules for doctors and prophets, working with organisations that register these healers. We have a problem with traditional healers who encourage other people to commit adultery, rape, and do many other bad things; such people should be arrested and sent to jail,” he asserted.

Freeman Kanodeweta, an administrator at the TMPC, acknowledges the increasing number of complaints reaching their offices regarding the activities of some prophets and n’angas.

“The existing laws must be followed by n’angas, prophets, pastors, midwives, and others, but some people do not come to us to report,” Kanodeweta said. “We have organisations that register these traditional healers, such as ZINPA and Zinatha, and they are our eyes; they work with our inspectors together with the police to arrest those who break the law.”

Kanodeweta further highlighted the issue of collusion between some village heads and chiefs with fraudulent healers, enabling them to exploit vulnerable community members.

“We have some village heads and chiefs who collude with fake n’angas and prophets who call them and steal people’s money by setting up traps,” he explained. “People have stopped reporting such things; we don’t know how we will find out, and also see if these healers have the required licenses.”

Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi has also issued a strong warning to the public, urging them to exercise extreme caution when seeking the services of traditional healers and prophets.

“People should not just call n’angas, prophets, and pastors they have no history with to their homes or go there seeking help,” Commissioner Nyathi cautioned. “Some women are being raped, others are being given poisonous drugs and having their property stolen as well. If you have been wronged or see that you have been robbed or defrauded, run to the nearest police station so that these people are arrested.”

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