The Eastern Cape government has issued a strongly worded message on festive season deaths on the roads and at initiation schools, and against violence against women and children.
The government said the 30 deaths that had already occurred during the current initiation season was disheartening and warned of more drastic legislation to address the issue.
Following its last meeting of the year, the provincial government’s executive committee (Exco) wished the people of the Eastern Cape an enjoyable festive season and a prosperous new year.
But the Exco had strident comments on the growing numbers of initiation school deaths and road fatalities.
“Exco impresses upon all schools, traditional surgeons (iingcibi) and traditional nurses (amakhankatha) to ensure that initiates completed the course in a safe environment,” it said.
“The concept of initiation remains an integral part of our culture in introducing young boys to manhood... it is...important that practitioners ensure proper, safe, adequate and healthy conditions at all initiation schools.
“Provincial government is committed to dealing with this situation and will consider drastic steps through appropriate legislation.”
It also called on communities to play a more active role in supporting families, especially single parents, with children going to initiation schools.
On road fatalities, the government urged road users to adhere to all traffic rules. “Road users often ignore traffic rules in areas where there are road works and this unacceptable behaviour results in fatal accidents.”
It said it would intensify its fight against “barbaric” acts of violence committed against women and children.
An awareness drive, Operation Hlangula, will be launched by the social development department in Port Elizabeth today to warn “young women aged between 18 and 25 about the dangers of alcohol, drug abuse and unwanted pregnancies during the festive season”.
Commenting on the operation, Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre director Lesley Ann Foster said: “Alcohol and drugs have some impact but this is not a driver of abuse. Men abuse women because they can. Because the sanctions such as investigation, arrest, prosecutions and convictions are not carried out. The rising impunity is what is of concern, and the lack of state accountability.”