The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape says it has serious difficulties in successfully prosecuting crimes related to illegal circumcisions.
The province has recorded 13 deaths related to circumcisions during this winter season.
Senior Advocate, Tango Pangalele says some of the challenges include non-cooperation of witnesses, including parents of boys who’ve undergone bogus initiations.
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Earlier, government said it plans to approach the traditional leadership of Amampondo region in the former Transkei to try and persuade it to review the practice of circumcision known as Ulwaluko.
Government said the aim is to tackle the number of deaths due to circumcisions during initiations.
VIDEO: Government to screen initiation school operators:
Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance Obed Bapela said they agreed to relook at the matter with the previous leadership of the House of Traditional Leaders.
“For us to win the battle particularly in the Mpondo areas where the deaths are high, where there is no cooperation by parents, where there is no cooperation by the communities is for us to really engage with the Amampondo traditional leaders, Nkani Zonke to say guys this thing is out of control. What is your way of finding a solution to it? When you go back to the historical documents, initiation was suspended or abolished hundred years ago when King Faku was a king. It resurfaced again in the 70s,” said Bapela.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said more than three hundred boys who went for circumcision tested positive for COVID-19 last year.
The department was briefing the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
