Zimbabwe HIV pill pastor convicted
A self-styled prophet who claimed to have found a herbal remedy for HIV and other illnesses has been found guilty of breaking the law, Zimbabwe’s NewsDay website reports.
Walter Magaya, 35, now awaits sentencing later today for contravening the Medicines Control Act, the news site adds.
In October, police raided Magaya’s offices to take away samples of the alleged medicine, based on something called aguma, for testing, saying that claims of a cure could be criminal.
The pills were reportedly selling online for $1,000 (£770) a pack.
Magaya later retracted the cure claim, instead saying that “intensive clinical trials” would take place, according to the the state-owned Herald newspaper.
The BBC’s Shingai Nyoka reports that Magaya is part of a group of young, brash and flashy religious figures who have emerged during Zimbabwe’s economic crisis.
They attract scores of followers with promises of miracle healing and miracle money.
Magaya had also recently launched a lipstick he claims can improve blood pressure.
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