Death in Zambia After Alleged Use of Prophet's "Holy Water" and Oil

A 28-year-old woman in Zambia’s Southern Province has reportedly died after allegedly using anointing oil from a man claiming to be a prophet of God.

The woman's death, which occurred over the past weekend, has sparked controversy in the country, where a large percentage of the population belongs to Christian denominations led by self-proclaimed servants of God.

The case was reported to the police station by the woman's father, according to a source.

The father reported that on Friday, his daughter began experiencing diarrhea and vomiting shortly after using water and oil given to her by a 37-year-old pastor from a local spiritual church. She continued to suffer until around 4:00 a.m. today when she passed away.

A police officer familiar with the incident confirmed that the alleged prophet had visited the area claiming to heal people suffering from various ailments.

The pastor stated that the now-deceased woman had come to him on Friday, April 4, 2025, seeking treatment for infertility.

He said that on the same day at 1:00 p.m., he gave her "holy water and anointing oil" to drink as part of the treatment. However, she later began vomiting and having diarrhea until 2:00 a.m., when she was rushed to Makuyu Clinic. She was pronounced dead at around 4:00 a.m.

Officers visited the scene, collected the body for examination, and arrested the suspect for investigation into the incident.