Eastern Cape police are investigating the deaths of four teenage boys who died in Willowvale after the initiate’s hut in which they were sleeping caught fire.
The tragedy happened at Fort Malan’s Kunokatana village on Wednesday.
Two more youths involved in the initiation rite died over the Christmas period, which Eastern Cape local government and traditional affairs spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam said had brought the death toll in the province to 18.
“We are not happy with the deaths of initiates in the bush as this is their rite of passage to manhood.
“One death is one to many,” Ngam said.
Butterworth police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said the four teenagers who burned to death had been identified as Sixolele Mgedle, 15, Zezona Mgedle, 14, Ndalo Mgedle, 16, and Ndoda Buqwana, 17.
Manatha said the three Mgedle youths were relatives from the same village.
Manatha said the boys had slept in the initiate’s hut after travelling to visit him, but the initiate was away visiting other initiates.
“The four decided to sleep over at the hut and we suspect that they might have left a fire burning and fell asleep.
“An inquest docket has been opened,” said Manatha.
Manatha said the four charred bodies were found inside the hut.
“It is suspected the hut, which is traditionally made of grass, might have caught fire while the boys were asleep. Police do not suspect any foul play so far and have opened an inquest docket for further investigation.”
Manatha said in another incident, a 17-year-old initiate, Anda Transport, from Centane’s Nombanjana village, was stabbed to death on Christmas day by a 21-year-old who had since been arrested by police.
The incident happened not far from the teen’s home.
“It is alleged that the suspect stabbed the victim in the upper body and police are investigating the motive behind the murder,” said Manatha.
It is also alleged that the victim was with another initiate when the older man came and asked them their names to identify them.
He then left and later came back and chased after the victim.
The teen was then stabbed and fell not far from his parents’ home.
Nombanjana villagers searched for the attacker, who had fled the scene.
He was found the following day and it is alleged that the villagers wanted to kill him but the swift reaction of the police saved him from the angry village mob.
“Swift reaction from police detectives led to the arrest of the suspect, who has been charged for murder,” said Manatha.
The man is expected to appear in Centane Magistrate’s Court today.
Another initiate died in the Mount Frere area after a collision with a motor vehicle.
It was not clear what led to the initiate being on a main road, or how the accident occurred.
“We want to make sure that all the initiates return to their parents alive,” Ngam said.
“These boys are not supposed to die.
“We are also against the current situation where initiates are denied water, and we appeal to law enforcement agencies to arrest those who assault and abuse initiates,” said Ngam.
Four killed as initiate's hut burns
The tragedy happened at Fort Malan’s Kunokatana village on Wednesday.
Two more youths involved in the initiation rite died over the Christmas period, which Eastern Cape local government and traditional affairs spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam said had brought the death toll in the province to 18.
“We are not happy with the deaths of initiates in the bush as this is their rite of passage to manhood.
“One death is one to many,” Ngam said.
Butterworth police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha said the four teenagers who burned to death had been identified as Sixolele Mgedle, 15, Zezona Mgedle, 14, Ndalo Mgedle, 16, and Ndoda Buqwana, 17.
Manatha said the three Mgedle youths were relatives from the same village.
Manatha said the boys had slept in the initiate’s hut after travelling to visit him, but the initiate was away visiting other initiates.
“The four decided to sleep over at the hut and we suspect that they might have left a fire burning and fell asleep.
“An inquest docket has been opened,” said Manatha.
Manatha said the four charred bodies were found inside the hut.
“It is suspected the hut, which is traditionally made of grass, might have caught fire while the boys were asleep. Police do not suspect any foul play so far and have opened an inquest docket for further investigation.”
Manatha said in another incident, a 17-year-old initiate, Anda Transport, from Centane’s Nombanjana village, was stabbed to death on Christmas day by a 21-year-old who had since been arrested by police.
The incident happened not far from the teen’s home.
“It is alleged that the suspect stabbed the victim in the upper body and police are investigating the motive behind the murder,” said Manatha.
It is also alleged that the victim was with another initiate when the older man came and asked them their names to identify them.
He then left and later came back and chased after the victim.
The teen was then stabbed and fell not far from his parents’ home.
Nombanjana villagers searched for the attacker, who had fled the scene.
He was found the following day and it is alleged that the villagers wanted to kill him but the swift reaction of the police saved him from the angry village mob.
“Swift reaction from police detectives led to the arrest of the suspect, who has been charged for murder,” said Manatha.
The man is expected to appear in Centane Magistrate’s Court today.
Another initiate died in the Mount Frere area after a collision with a motor vehicle.
It was not clear what led to the initiate being on a main road, or how the accident occurred.
“We want to make sure that all the initiates return to their parents alive,” Ngam said.
“These boys are not supposed to die.
“We are also against the current situation where initiates are denied water, and we appeal to law enforcement agencies to arrest those who assault and abuse initiates,” said Ngam.
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