THE killing of abakhwetha (initiates) in the Eastern Cape gives MEC sleepless nights.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Zolile Williams is troubled by the deaths of 20 initiates.
Three of the deceased were shot in execution style while they were asleep.
Williams sent his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and their next of kin.
The OR Tambo region remains a problem area, with six deaths reported. Joe Gqabi recorded four, Alfred Nzo recorded three, Buffalo City, Chris Hani, and Amthole recorded two, and Nelson Mandela Bay recorded one.
“We encourage parents, guardians, and families to visit Amabhuma and initiation schools every day. Where there is suspicion of foul play, we encourage them to open criminal cases against those entrusted with the care of their children. So far, 69 people have been arrested for unlawful circumcision, deaths of abakhwetha, and other suspected criminal activities. Of this number, 28 are females and 18 males were arrested in Mbizana, Buffalo City Metro, OR Tambo, and Chris Hani," said MEC Williams.
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He said these are unnecessary deaths that should not have happened in the first place if parents, guardians, and families played their active roles in securing the future of their children.
"Some parents are working with the government. However, they need to do more to mitigate risks associated with the custom."
The chairman of the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC), Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso, called on law enforcement to stop the deaths.
“Government interventions by nature cannot cover the length and breadth of the province, hence communities must also lend a helping hand to stop the unnecessary deaths," he said.
"One death is one too many because customary male initiation does not kill. We call on law enforcement to investigate these deaths and bring perpetrators to book,” he said.
