THE Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL) has expressed shock at the alarming increase in initiate deaths – which now stands at 25.
“Twenty-five, this is shocking! What are we not doing right?” asked ECHTL chairman Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima.
The summer initiation season started on November 29 and with two weeks to go before it ends, there are fears more deaths will be recorded. The current death toll already equals the total number of fatalities for last year’s entire summer season.
Matanzima said the situation was a cause for panic.
The CEO of ECHT Zingisa Bokwe on Wednesday confirmed the 25 deaths. The provincial authorities said the regions where the deaths occurred include OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Joe Gqabi, Buffalo City Metro, Chris Hani and Amathole.
Although Matanzima blamed the deaths on poor wound management by some traditional nurses in initiation schools, he said the presence of criminal elements was a cause for concern. Local government and traditional affairs spokesman, Mamnkeli Ngam, said 21 assault cases were reported, 20 of which occurred in Mzimvubu.
The other was recorded in Maluti where an initiate died after he was allegedly assaulted by a traditional nurse using a knobkerrie. Five traditional surgeons have been arrested in connection with the incident. Ngam said two deaths reported in Chris Hani were not linked to circumcision. One initiate drowned in a dam and another died of suspected food poisoning, while another had also died in Elundini as a result of severe anaemia. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
25 initiate deaths spark outcry
“Twenty-five, this is shocking! What are we not doing right?” asked ECHTL chairman Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima.
The summer initiation season started on November 29 and with two weeks to go before it ends, there are fears more deaths will be recorded. The current death toll already equals the total number of fatalities for last year’s entire summer season.
Matanzima said the situation was a cause for panic.
The CEO of ECHT Zingisa Bokwe on Wednesday confirmed the 25 deaths. The provincial authorities said the regions where the deaths occurred include OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Joe Gqabi, Buffalo City Metro, Chris Hani and Amathole.
Although Matanzima blamed the deaths on poor wound management by some traditional nurses in initiation schools, he said the presence of criminal elements was a cause for concern. Local government and traditional affairs spokesman, Mamnkeli Ngam, said 21 assault cases were reported, 20 of which occurred in Mzimvubu.
The other was recorded in Maluti where an initiate died after he was allegedly assaulted by a traditional nurse using a knobkerrie. Five traditional surgeons have been arrested in connection with the incident. Ngam said two deaths reported in Chris Hani were not linked to circumcision. One initiate drowned in a dam and another died of suspected food poisoning, while another had also died in Elundini as a result of severe anaemia. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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