THE Eastern Cape initiate death toll has now reached 28, exceeding the number of young men who died during last year’s summer initiation season.
Last year, 25 initiates lost their lives. The season is expected to run to mid-January.
“Twelve of those who died are from OR Tambo, four from Alfred Nzo, four from Joe Gqabi, four from Buffalo City, two in Chris Hani, one in Cacadu and one from Amathole in Mbashe sub-district,” said Zingisa Bokwe, the CEO of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL), in a statement.
The four initiates who died in the Buffalo City Metro were in Reeston, Nxarhuni, Amalinda and Mdantsane.
Bokwe said the fourth death in Buffalo City was that of an 18-year-old who died in NU5 in Mdantsane due to a septic circumcision wound.
He said investigations were still underway regarding the Cacadu/ Makana death.
The Community Development Foundation of South Africa (Codefsa), which promotes safer initiation schools across the country, was shocked at the number.
Codefsa director Nkululeko Nxesi said the deaths had spread to areas which had previously not reported any deaths.
ECHTL chairman Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said each community would need to account for the deaths.
“We need to analyse each death and take action accordingly,” said Matanzima adding that the figure was alarming. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Initiate death toll at 28
Last year, 25 initiates lost their lives. The season is expected to run to mid-January.
“Twelve of those who died are from OR Tambo, four from Alfred Nzo, four from Joe Gqabi, four from Buffalo City, two in Chris Hani, one in Cacadu and one from Amathole in Mbashe sub-district,” said Zingisa Bokwe, the CEO of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL), in a statement.
The four initiates who died in the Buffalo City Metro were in Reeston, Nxarhuni, Amalinda and Mdantsane.
Bokwe said the fourth death in Buffalo City was that of an 18-year-old who died in NU5 in Mdantsane due to a septic circumcision wound.
He said investigations were still underway regarding the Cacadu/ Makana death.
The Community Development Foundation of South Africa (Codefsa), which promotes safer initiation schools across the country, was shocked at the number.
Codefsa director Nkululeko Nxesi said the deaths had spread to areas which had previously not reported any deaths.
ECHTL chairman Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said each community would need to account for the deaths.
“We need to analyse each death and take action accordingly,” said Matanzima adding that the figure was alarming. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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