Two herbalists in Dedza district in Malawi have been sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour after being found guilty of fraud and false pretence.

The herbalists, identified as Julius Phiri, 30, and Jafali William, 27, had obtained money from a grieving father on the pretence that they could bring his deceased daughter back to life.

According to the state prosecutor, Dickson Chipote, the two herbalists had convinced Mathews Nthamangira that they had the power to bring back his 12-year-old daughter, who died mysteriously in 2019.

They had demanded money from Nthamangira, claiming that the funds would be used to purchase necessary herbs and perform traditional rituals to revive the girl.

However, after receiving the money, the herbalists failed to perform any rituals or revive the girl, leaving the father with no choice but to report the matter to the authorities. The herbalists were subsequently arrested and charged with fraud and false pretence.

During the court hearing, the two herbalists pleaded guilty to the charges and asked the court for leniency, claiming that they were first-time offenders.

However, the presiding magistrate, Cecilia Onsewa, handed down a three-year sentence with hard labour, stating that the offence committed was serious and had caused emotional and financial harm to the victim and his family.