The Lusaka City council has disclosed that herbal business dealers are required by law to obtain business permits from the council before beginning their operations.

LCC Public relations Manager George Sichimba says in a statement to Money FM that some herbalists and those dealing in imported herbal medicine are illegally conducting their businesses around the city.

Mr. Sichimba says the council will next month commence the registration of traditional healers/herbalists in the city as traditional healers/herbalists are required by law to register with the Council and obtain business permits before embarking on their businesses

He Explains that the procedure is that after registering with the Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia (THPAZ), traditional healers should proceed to LCC and obtain business permits.

The PRM says Local authorities are mandated by law to register and regulate all businesses in their respective districts although many traditional healers and those dealing in imported herbal medicine have not formalised their businesses in Lusaka.

Mr. Sichimba says makes it difficult for the local authority to monitor the business activities of traditional healers.

“The registration exercise is meant to protect members of the public from being duped by some unscrupulous traditional healers whose whereabouts and personal details can be established. Recently, LCC held a fruitful consultative meeting with the Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia (THPAZ) executive led by it’s president, Dr Rodwell Vongo.” he notes.