Eastern Cape traditional leaders are working around the clock to find ways of preventing more initiates from dying. The death toll of the young men rose to seven during the summer season. The custodians of initiation, traditional leaders say they are alarmed at the number of initiates’ deaths.
They have taken to the bush to clamp down on illegal schools. The OR Tambo region notorious for initiate deaths has up to now only registered one case.
“The issue of the boy who died did not follow the regulations and requirements. We have arrested on person who was responsible. We are fighting our best and our wish is to achieve zero deaths. We call on parents to take initiative and responsibility for their kids,” says OR Tambo Initiation Forum Chairperson Chief Mkhanyiseni Duduma
The traditional leaders have vowed to lay charges against those who break the rules.
