Alarm over high rate of initiation deaths in Eastern Cape

05 July 2016 - 15:04 By Lulamile Feni

The initiation death toll in the Eastern Cape this season had increased to 14 by Monday. Political heavyweights and law enforcement top brass are flying in to the OR Tambo district‚ which has the most deaths‚ to address what has been described as a dark cloud hovering over the province.Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Obed Bapela‚ Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima were to visit initiation schools in the district on Tuesday.They were to be joined by representatives of the national police commissioner's office and the National Director of Public Prosecutions.“This will send a strong message that this government will not tolerate criminal syndicates that harm cultural practices. The law enforcement agencies are ready to take action and dealing with perpetrators‚” said Bapela.They are scheduled to visit various initiation schools‚ hospitals where rescued initiates are admitted‚ initiation rescue centres and families of deceased initiates.Last week‚ Xasa visited some initiation schools and the King Ndlovuyezwe Rescue Centre‚ at Nyandeni Great Place near Libode‚ where he was shocked to see an 11-year-old initiate among 84 underage initiates circumcised by an illegal traditional surgeon.“The high number of deaths is a result of illegal initiation schools and kidnapping of children. The unregistered schools are undermining the good work done by the government‚'' said the deputy minister.Ngcobo said that a total of 18 initiates had died since the start of the winter season countrywide‚ with the Eastern Cape recording the most deaths.There are 14 deaths in the Eastern Cape‚ one in Gauteng‚ two in Mpumalanga and one in Limpopo.Matanzima has expressed concern on the increase of initiation deaths.“'This shows that a lot still has to be done in this area which is always problematic. But we need to continue providing the necessary support and awareness campaigns‚” said Matanzima. TMG Digital/Daily Dispatch ..

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