Human Rights Commission saddened by initiation deaths

The SAHRC was saddened on Tuesday by the rising death toll of initiates in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

"The commission asserts that no cultural, traditional or religious practices that place children at risk of losing their lives have any place in our current dispensation," South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) spokesman Isaac Mangena said in a statement.

The Mpumalanga health department said last Thursday that 30 boys had died in initiation schools in the province. Police said there had been six deaths related to initiation schools in Limpopo.

Mangena said the SAHRC helped convene public hearings on initiation schools in 2010.

"Numerous recommendations were derived as to how these processes --particularly ritual circumcision – could be made safer," he said.

"The commission intends to enquire into the progress of the uptake of these recommendations, and what further guidance is required in order to eliminate these harmful traditional and cultural practices."

The commission was currently considering "the best way forward" in dealing with deaths linked to initiations.

"It is our hope that similarly-situated institutions are also mindful of the need to act swiftly, so as to prevent further irreparable harm to young initiates."