Interventions to curb initiation deaths in the Eastern Cape are paying off. The province recorded 16 fatalities at the end of the summer season. Last year there were 29 deaths.
19 people have been arrested since the beginning of December in connection with illegal initiation activities. The decrease in the number of deaths is attributed to new legislation. It forbids boys under 18 from undergoing initiation.
“Dehydration, septic wounds, assault and not allowing boys to take their regular treatment for illnesses like TB and HIV are some of the problems that led to these deaths. But the legislation is really assisting us as we have arrested 19 people and we are also happy that from the June deaths there have been convictions made,” said Fikile Xasa, minister of traditional affairs.
Traditional leaders want more powers to assist courts.
“We have a register that has a list of all those who have initiates who have died under their guidance so that in future we can blacklist them to avoid them being used. We also want powers so that we can deal with those who are violating the custom,” said Chief Mwelo Nonkonyane of House of Traditional leaders.
Traditional surgeons say if the custom is done correctly, nobody will die.
“It has been 10 years since I have been doing this. I prevent death of initiates by responding to problems immediately and make sure that there is always a traditional nurse with the initiates,” said traditional surgeon, Qaqambile Siyongwana.
More arrests are expected as there are suspects on the run and a total of 59 cases have been opened.
