20 February 2016
Initiates death toll in last season totaled 43: Eastern Cape Premier
Out of 42,225 initiates, 43 young boys died during the last circumcision season in the Eastern Cape, Premier Phumulo Masualle said.
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CUT TO THE QUICK: Initiation traditions have been criticised for the number of annual deaths and mutilations that result from botched circumcisions. File photo
Image: SIMPHIWE NKWALI
Image: SIMPHIWE NKWALI
"It saddens us though to see families grieving the loss of their children as a result of botched circumcisions," he said in his State of the Province Address in King William's Town, according to a copy of the speech.
"Clearly, we cannot allow this situation to continue like this."
He said the provincial government would continue looking for ways of making the tradition a pleasant experience.
A number of people had been arrested.
Source: News24