Since the commencement of the customary male circumcision season on June 17, 2022, eight initiates have passed away in the Eastern Cape.
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) of the Parliament confirmed the development this week while conducting an oversight visit to two initiation schools in Port St. John’s, which is a part of the OR Tambo District Municipality.
The committee was informed of the difficulties associated with initiation in the local municipalities of Port St. John’s, Ngquza Hill, King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD), Nyandeni, and Mhlontlo.
The team that is accompanying the committee on the oversight visits includes the National Initiation Oversight Committee, which was set up by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Eastern Cape Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee.
The deaths took place in the KSD Local Municipality and Mhlontlo Local Municipality, according to committee head Fikile Xasa.
“As part of its oversight plan, the committee will visit the KSD municipality tomorrow.
Additional details regarding the cause of these deaths will be given to the committee, he promised.
In addition, he added, the committee had been informed that there were 68 illicit initiation schools in the OR Tambo District in addition to the 66 certified authorized initiation schools.
“The committee was also informed that the COVID-19 pandemic and resource depletion have rendered the formerly operational rescue centres inoperable, complicating the closure of illegal initiation schools because there are no hospital beds available for initiates who are rescued from these illegal schools.”
He continued by saying that the Customary Initiation Act makes it plain what steps must be taken against illegitimate institutions, including their closure.
“The committee anticipates charging and arresting traditional nurses and surgeons who attend these unlawful courses.
“The committee makes it plain that law enforcement organizations shouldn’t put up with any criminal behaviour from groups that defend traditional, unlicensed doctors and nurses.
In addition, the police told the committee that they had initiated 21 cases and made 8 arrests so far this season,” he stated.
The committee applauded Matatiele in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality for choosing not to establish any initiation schools this winter due to unfavorable weather.
Today, the committee will visit initiation schools in Mthatha and meet with local homes and traditional councils in KSD.