At least eight initiates have died in the current winter initiation season

Eight initiates have died in the Eastern Cape since the beginning of traditional male circumcision/initiation season which started on 17 June 2022.

This was revealed by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) during an oversight visit to two initiation schools in Port St John’s, which is part of the OR Tambo District Municipality.

EIGHT INITIATES HAVE DIED SO FAR

The committee reportedly briefed about initiation challenges in Port St Johns Local Municipality, Ngquza Hill Local Municipality, King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality, Nyandeni Local Municipality and Mhlontlo Local Municipality.

National Initiation Oversight Committee chairperson Fikile Xasa said the deaths occurred in the KSD Local Municipality and Mhlontlo Local Municipality.

“The committee is expected to visit the KSD municipality on Thursday, 7 July as part of its oversight programme. The committee will be provided with additional information on the cause of these deaths,” Xasa said.

Furthermore, Xasa said, the committee was informed that there were 66 confirmed legal initiation schools and 68 illegal schools in the OR Tambo District.

“The committee was also informed that the closure of illegal schools was complicated by the fact that there are no hospital beds available for the initiates that are rescued from these illegal schools and that the erstwhile rescue centres are no longer operational due to the Covid-19 pandemic and depletion of resources.”

Fikile Xasa

EIGHT ARRESTED FOR ILLEGAL INITIATION SCHOOLS  

Police have arrested eight illegal traditional surgeons and nurses who are involved in illegal initiation schools and have opened 21 cases in the current initiation season. 

Xasa said the Customary Initiation Act is clear on what action needs to be taken against illegal schools and they need to be closed down.

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