Concern as initiate death toll continues to rise

The Eastern Cape government has raised concern about the rising number of initiate fatalities as the death toll for the winter season climbed to 11.

Provincial government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the deaths were unnecessary and happened despite government efforts to curb loss of life.

“This is attributed to what appears to be total negligence by parents, particularly in the Libode area, where boys are being circumcised while under-age.

“In Libode, a controversial traditional surgeon has been identified as the main cause of problems in the area. Police and officials tried to rescue over 80 initiates from his homestead, but only managed to rescue 20 and the rest fled.”

Kupelo said government has instructed the cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) department to work closely with the NPA to ensure successful prose-cution of those accused of unlawful circumcision in the province.

Cogta provincial spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam said that of the 11 deaths, eight were from the OR Tambo district, which has always shown to be problematic in the winter season.

Six of the deaths were from the King Ndamase Ndamase of Western Mpondoland areas of jurisdiction, which include Port St Johns, Libode and Ngqeleni.

Ngam said common causes of initiate deaths were pneumonia, assault, septicaemia, asthma and dehydration.

The most recent death was last Wednesday when a 19-year-old initiate died of asthma at Macwerheni village in Qumbu.

It was the first death reported in the Mhlonto area.

Ngam said the traditional surgeon was arrested for unlawful circumcision but he did not give further information.

Another 19-year-old died of pneumonia at Mfinizweni village in Lusikisiki on Wednesday, six days after he was circumcised.