An evaluation of the legal framework for African traditional healers in South Africa

Abstract

The quest for health includes alternative methods to treat and cure illnesses. The centuries-old method of alternative traditional healing has been used in many countries. The importance of traditional healing was realised by the South African government, which has attempted to regulate traditional health practitioners, with the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007 being the final and current result. Traditional healing has been around for many years, encompassing many African traditions and cultures. It is important to establish the definition of a traditional health practitioner and to determine how the World Health Organisation, other organisations and other countries describe a traditional health practitioner. National and regional legislation regulating traditional health practitioners is of importance, as well as establishing the impact of existing regulations such as the Natal Codes and the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007. The Act is evaluated in this study, as well as the criticisms of some writers. Mainstream critique will come to light, such as the established Traditional Health Practitioners Council and its seeming inability to commence with the registration of traditional healers. The Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007 has been in the making for more than 12 years but there are still many shortcomings which have not been addressed. This is to the detriment of the communities that make use of the services of traditional healers, the practitioners and employers.