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A politician from the tiny southern African kingdom of Swaziland has a hike in the tax rate on the nation's traditional healers. Majahodvwa Khumalo has the government to the tax to help his country's worsening economic situation. He believes the time is ripe for the tax on the healers, known as 'sangomas'. Mr Khumalo said the sangomas have their fees in recent years but are still very little in tax. He told the Swazi parliament the healers needed to pay their fair share towards the country's economic recovery, saying: "A majority of our people traditional healers but the money they pay to government far too short of the money they ."

The sangomas currently pay an annual fee of 10 emalangeni ($1.15) to ply their trade. Many Swazis the healers, who are a key part of the nation's health service. Opponents say taxes on the sangomas would bring in very little revenue. Swaziland is in dire financial straits. Its budget deficit has to 15 per cent of its GDP. Many say King Mswati III should do more to help his country. He a small fortune on his many wives, lavish lifestyle, and a bloated military. The sangomas they are being . They have already spent decades trying to themselves of a "witch doctor" label given to them by Europeans. Western pharmacists are now their cures and medicines.