Traditional Doctor on Trial After Defrauding Grieving Family

Emmanuel Banda, a traditional doctor from Malawi, is standing trial at the Chipata Magistrates’ Court on accusations of obtaining money through false pretences after claiming he could resurrect a deceased man.

Drain Nyirenda tragically lost his life during the Gulewamkulu, a traditional Chewa dance, on 24 December last year. According to court reports, Nyirenda inserted his head into a loop of a mosquito net string tied to a 35-meter pole during the performance.

Banda allegedly approached Nyirenda's family offering to resurrect the deceased for a fee. He purportedly received K900 from the family under the promise of bringing Nyirenda back to life.

Banda obviously failed to fulfill his fraudulent promise despite accepting payment from the grieving family. Testimony from the deceased's father indicated that Banda attempted to deceive them by wrapping bedsheets around a plank, falsely claiming it was Nyirenda resurrected.

Public Prosecutor Bright Lishebo is overseeing the prosecution and plans to present five witnesses in the case.

Chipata Resident Magistrate Destiny Kalusopa has postponed the trial until 10 April, for further proceedings.

The case has sparked discussion about the exploitation of cultural beliefs and the ethical considerations surrounding promises of miraculous interventions for financial gain.