Lusaka Mayor Chitambala Mwewa has rejected warnings from the Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia over the council’s crackdown on advertisements by so-called witch doctors, declaring that Lusaka City Council will instead intensify the removal of illegal and misleading signs across the capital.
Mwewa said the council is not targeting traditional medicine or Zambia’s cultural practices, but advertisements placed illegally on trees, public infrastructure and other undesignated spaces.
He particularly criticised adverts promising to bring back lost lovers, guarantee examination success or produce instant wealth. “There is no such thing as miracle money. It won’t happen. Not now, not ever,” he said.
The mayor went further, questioning individuals who use the title “doctor” without demonstrating recognised qualifications and describing some of their services as scams designed to exploit vulnerable people.
“If you want money, work. If you want your lost loved ones to come back, maybe you need to reconcile,” Mwewa said, adding that claims presented with a spiritual dimension should not be exempt from scrutiny or council bylaws.
His remarks come after association president Rodwell Vongo cautioned Mwewa against viewing spiritual matters solely from a physical perspective.
Mwewa rejected that position and said enforcement teams will now expand operations into residential areas, with illegal advertisements removed and offenders potentially facing fines and other penalties.