Panafrican News Agency - November 27, 2001
Gaborone North MP Michael Mzwinila incurred the wrath of speaker Ray Mlomo when he said that traditional healers who are members of a sect he leads known as Guta Rwa Mwari can cure AIDS.
Earlier, when contributing to the president's state of the nation address in which President Festus Mogae spoke strongly against tribalism, Mzwinila said he belonged to the Mkalanga (a non- Setswana speaking tribe) ethnic group first and a Mtswana (Botswana's main ethnic group) second, adding that he would not compromise his ethnicity.
These utterances forced the speaker to note Mwinila's gross misconduct and expelled him when he refused categorically to withdraw the statement.
Claims that the MP can cure AIDS drew sharp criticism from leaders and the public alike.
Leader of the Botswana Opposition Alliance Movement called a local radio to commend the speaker for expelling the MP for his utterances that he said demonstrated the MP's ignorance.
"Such irresponsible statements should not be allowed a hearing at whatever forum," he said.
Another caller who claimed to be a constituent of the MP said the claims were untrue and misleading. She challenged the MP to work with the health ministry to cure the thousands of people suffering from the epidemic if indeed his claims are true.
But he is not the only one who has claimed he can rid Botswana of the deadly scourge in recent time.
A college lecturer and church pastor in Botswana recently captured the attention of the country when he said he could cure AIDS with prayer and water. Nursing Professor Sheila Tlou backed his claims.
A traditional healer back from a pilgrimage up a hill in Botswana's rural country claimed in September that he had also received instructions from God to cure all AIDS patients.
However, none of these claims have been scientifically proven.
011127
PA011148
Copyright © 2001 - Panafrican News Agency. For information about the content or for permission to redistribute, publish or use for broadcast, contact the publisher: The Panafrican News Agency B.P. 4056, Dakar, Senegal. Tel: (221) 824-13-95 Fax: (221) 824-13-90 E-mail: quoiset@sonatel.senet.net.
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2001. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1990, 2001. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. Feedback/Contact Us.