The initiation death toll in the Eastern Cape since the beginning of the summer season has risen to 28, a decline of 15 when compared to the same season last year.
Causes of death include herbal intoxication, paraffin poisoning, drowning, assault, stabbing and health problems.
Seven died in Chris Hani, six in Alfred Nzo, five in OR Tambo, four in Buffalo City Metro (BCM), two in Nelson Mandela Metro (NMM), two in Amathole, one in Sarah Baartman and one in Joe Gqabi.
Forty-three initiates died during the summer season in the Eastern Cape in 2013, up from the 25 deaths recorded during the same season the year before.
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima expressed concern at the continuous high death toll.
“The rite has been infiltrated by criminals who assault and kill our sons. Immature youngsters are masquerading as traditional nurses and surgeons, turning the rite into a money-making scheme and killing the initiates in the process. The government must be harsher. Communities must take drastic action,” said Matanzima.
He was shocked at the two deaths in the NMM and the one in Sarah Baartman – areas which had no deaths for many years.
The NMM deaths included a drowning and a 52-year-old diabetic initiate. In Sarah Baartman, an initiate was fatally stabbed.
In BCM two died in Dimbaza near King William’s Town, where a 23-year-old initiate was beaten to death and a 36-year-old died of hypertension. Two others died in Mdantsane of hypertension and asthma.
Good news is that OR Tambo, which has consistently had the highest toll, is now in third spot.
Mpondoland, which includes Mbizana in Alfred Nzo, and Lusikisiki and Ngqeleni in OR Tambo, had four deaths.
Two initiates were beaten to death in Mbizana and two others died of dehydration – one in Lusikisiki and the other in Ngqeleni. Of the five deaths in OR Tambo, three were from the King Sabata Dalindyebo. In the seven deaths in Chris Hani, four were recorded in Ngcobo.
“The deaths were caused by herbal intoxication, paraffin poisoning, drowning, stabbing, assault, dehydration, septicaemia, asthma, lung infection, hypertension and diabetics. We are still offended that medical cases continuously contribute in the death of initiates,” said health department provincial safe circumcision senior manager Dr Luvuyo Bayeni.
Bayeni and Matanzima said of the 28 deaths, more than 10 cases were assault-related and some family members, including fathers, were involved.
Western Mpondoland King Ndamase Ndamase hailed the reduction in the number of deaths.
“In our area we usually have 10 or so deaths, now we have had one.
“The Methodist Church members and other denominations in our region yesterday when observing the annual covenant prayer and service, made a special thanks to God for saving the lives of our initiates. We owe it to God,” said Ndamase’s spokesman Prince Mlamli Ndamase.
The last batch of initiates graduated at the weekend.
Bayeni said they were busy with the district reviews ahead of a two-day provincial review in Queenstown on Thursday and Friday. The final initiation report will be handed to traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa, health MEC Dr Phumza Dyantyi and Matanzima on Friday. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
28 die in E Cape summer initiation
Causes of death include herbal intoxication, paraffin poisoning, drowning, assault, stabbing and health problems.
Seven died in Chris Hani, six in Alfred Nzo, five in OR Tambo, four in Buffalo City Metro (BCM), two in Nelson Mandela Metro (NMM), two in Amathole, one in Sarah Baartman and one in Joe Gqabi.
Forty-three initiates died during the summer season in the Eastern Cape in 2013, up from the 25 deaths recorded during the same season the year before.
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima expressed concern at the continuous high death toll.
“The rite has been infiltrated by criminals who assault and kill our sons. Immature youngsters are masquerading as traditional nurses and surgeons, turning the rite into a money-making scheme and killing the initiates in the process. The government must be harsher. Communities must take drastic action,” said Matanzima.
He was shocked at the two deaths in the NMM and the one in Sarah Baartman – areas which had no deaths for many years.
The NMM deaths included a drowning and a 52-year-old diabetic initiate. In Sarah Baartman, an initiate was fatally stabbed.
In BCM two died in Dimbaza near King William’s Town, where a 23-year-old initiate was beaten to death and a 36-year-old died of hypertension. Two others died in Mdantsane of hypertension and asthma.
Good news is that OR Tambo, which has consistently had the highest toll, is now in third spot.
Mpondoland, which includes Mbizana in Alfred Nzo, and Lusikisiki and Ngqeleni in OR Tambo, had four deaths.
Two initiates were beaten to death in Mbizana and two others died of dehydration – one in Lusikisiki and the other in Ngqeleni. Of the five deaths in OR Tambo, three were from the King Sabata Dalindyebo. In the seven deaths in Chris Hani, four were recorded in Ngcobo.
“The deaths were caused by herbal intoxication, paraffin poisoning, drowning, stabbing, assault, dehydration, septicaemia, asthma, lung infection, hypertension and diabetics. We are still offended that medical cases continuously contribute in the death of initiates,” said health department provincial safe circumcision senior manager Dr Luvuyo Bayeni.
Bayeni and Matanzima said of the 28 deaths, more than 10 cases were assault-related and some family members, including fathers, were involved.
Western Mpondoland King Ndamase Ndamase hailed the reduction in the number of deaths.
“In our area we usually have 10 or so deaths, now we have had one.
“The Methodist Church members and other denominations in our region yesterday when observing the annual covenant prayer and service, made a special thanks to God for saving the lives of our initiates. We owe it to God,” said Ndamase’s spokesman Prince Mlamli Ndamase.
The last batch of initiates graduated at the weekend.
Bayeni said they were busy with the district reviews ahead of a two-day provincial review in Queenstown on Thursday and Friday. The final initiation report will be handed to traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa, health MEC Dr Phumza Dyantyi and Matanzima on Friday. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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