The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has recently prohibited the airing of advertisements from prophets and traditional healers on radio and television. This decision aims to protect the public from misleading claims and deceptive practices.
Tendai Kapumha, the Chief Executive of BAZ, has instructed all television and radio stations to cease broadcasting ads from prophets, traditional healers, and those promoting unverified medicines.
Kapumha stated:
“Broadcasting of advertisements from churches, traditional healers, and unverified medicinal products must be halted to prevent misleading the public.”
While advertising content is banned, broadcasters are still allowed to feature discussions, programs, or debates about prophets and traditional healers, provided these segments do not include promotional content.
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Zimbabwe has seen a surge in unregulated medicines sold illegally, in violation of the country’s regulations requiring medicines to be registered and licensed. Some pastors and traditional healers falsely claim to cure serious ailments such as cancer, deceiving people and worsening their health conditions or leading to financial loss.
The BAZ ban may not fully address the issue of street vendors selling illicit medicines. These vendors, who use loudhailers to attract customers, contribute to noise pollution and promote remedies for various conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Some popular herbal remedies advertised include Gonorrhoea tea, Mfanyu fanyu, Spikiri, Rhino horn, Mugondorosi, Umvusankunzi Manarithi, and Spanish fly, with many names suggesting sexual connotations.
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