Two initiates have died in the Buffalo City Metro in the last 24 hours bringing the initiate death toll in the province to nine since the beginning of summer initiation season.
The latest incident happened this morning in Amalinda when an 18-year-old was burnt alive after his hut caught alight on Wednesday, BCM circumcision cordinator Mbulelo Matayo confirmed.
The other incident happened in Mdantsane on Tuesday evening when another 18-year-old initiate succumbed to an asthma attack.
Matayo confirmed both incidents to Dispatch over the telephone but referred all enquiries to provincial health spokesperson Lwandile Sicwetsha.
During the 9am call on Wednesday, Matayo said a state mortuary van had just picked up the charred body of the youngster. This is a developing story with more later...