Should a sick note from a traditional healer be recognised at work

Should a sick note from a traditional healer be recognised at work
Podcast
Should a sick note from a traditional healer be recognised at work
Podcast
Thato explained that the Traditional Health Practitioners Act governs traditional health practices in South Africa. While the Act outlines the overarching framework and requirements for becoming a registered traditional healer, it lacks specific details on the actual registration process. Since only registered traditional healers are permitted to issue valid medical certificates, this lack of clarity has left many traditional healers operating in a legal grey area.
Thato added that when an Act of Parliament lacks this level of detail, supporting regulations are typically needed to flesh out and operationalise its provisions. In June 2024, draft regulations under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act were published for public comment. These draft regulations aim to fill the gaps by outlining the application process, required forms, applicable fees, necessary qualifications, and the authority responsible for handling registrations.
However, as Thato pointed out, these regulations have not yet been officially promulgated. This creates practical challenges in that, without a clear and enforceable registration process in place, it remains difficult to determine how traditional healers, despite being legally permitted to issue medical certificates if registered, can issue sick notes that are recognised by employers.
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