Initiation schools 'get away with murder'

The government is developing legislation to deal with circumcision and illegitimate initiation schools.

Deputy Traditional Affairs Minister Obed Bapela yesterday visited Mthatha, in the OR Tambo region of Eastern Cape, where 25initiates died recently after being circumcised.

Bapela said: "Currently we cannot prosecute anyone for operating an illegal initiation school. We arrest and prosecute successfully for murder and assault, but not for circumcision.

"We are busy developing legislation that will deal with circumcision and running illegal schools."

He hoped the legislation would be in force before the next circumcision season.

"We will also be looking at the possibility of establishing an inspectorate that will be operative throughout the year, and will ensure that awareness campaigns are run throughout the season."

Chief Ntandoyesizwe Zweloxolo Ndamase, of Western Pondoland, welcomed attempts to reduce initiate deaths but said he would object to moves to replace traditional circumcision with medical circumcision.

"We cannot accept a proposal aimed at diluting our ritual. The problem is not [circumcision] but wound management, and criminal elements such as assault, starving initiates and denying them water."

Cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa this week said the province would consider making medical circumcision compulsory if initiates continued to die.

Bapela said he was pleased by the cooperation between the government and traditional leaders on curbing initiation deaths and protecting cultural practices.