Initiation deaths now 14 in Eastern Cape

The initiation death toll in the Eastern Cape this season has increased to 14 by Monday.

Political heavyweights and law-enforcement top brass are flying in to O R Tambo district, which has the most deaths, to address what has been termed as a dark cloud hovering over the province.

Cooperative and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Deputy Minister Obed Bapela, Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima are visiting initiation schools in the district today. They will be joined  by representatives of the national police commissioner's office and the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

“This will send a strong message that this government will not tolerate criminal syndicates that harm cultural practices. The law-enforcement agencies are ready to take action and dealing with perpetrators,” said Bapela.

They are scheduled to visit various initiation schools, hospitals where rescued initiates are admitted, initiation rescue centres and families of deceased initiates.

Last week, Xasa visited some initiation schools and the King Ndlovuyezwe Rescue Centre at Nyandeni Great Place near Libode where he was shocked to see an 11-year-old  initiate among 84 under-age initiates circumcised by an illegal traditional surgeon.

“The high number of deaths is a result of illegal initiation schools and kidnapping of children. The unregistered schools are undermining the good work done by the government,'' said the deputy minister.

Ngcobo said that a total of 18 initiates has since the start of the winter season died in the country, with the Eastern Cape seeing the most deaths.

There are 14 deaths in the Eastern Cape, one in Gauteng, two in Mpumalanga and one in Limpopo.

Matanzima has expressed concern on the increase of initiation deaths.

''This shows that a lot still has to be done in this area which is always problematic. But we need to continue providing the necessary support and  awareness campaigns,'' said Matanzima.