A 38-year-old man, allegedly a traditional surgeon, has been arrested for unlawful circumcision in Lusikisiki in the OR Tambo District, while the summer initiation season has claimed its fourth victim. According to cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa, 12 abakhwetha, aged between 13 and 18 years old, have been rescued in Lusikisiki and will be sent to a place of safety. He said no parental consent was received for their circumcisions.
Xasa appreciates the good work done by members of the SAPS and the district initiation monitoring teams. "Our children have been saved from the jaws of possible death, injuries and amputations," said Xasa.
Meanwhile the summer season initiation death toll has increased to four after an initiate died in Matatiele. Two boys have died in Centane, one in Mount Fletcher and now Matatiele. All these initiates were in legal initiation schools.
The MEC and traditional leaders expressed shock over the deaths...