A HUNT is in full swing for a bogus ingcibi (a man responsible for circumcising initiates) after the death of an initiate in the Eastern Cape.
The 20-year-old initiate died at illegal initiation school in Nkunzini Administration Area, Lusikisiki on Thursday, 23 November.
The death comes as authorities swooped on illegal initiation schools and arrested five bogus traditional surgeons.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said: “It's alleged that police were alerted by a health official after someone raised the alarm about an illegal initiation school existing in the area.
“A 20-year-old initiate had already died due to an assault by unknown African males at the school. The initiation school was initially shut down, but the suspect re-opened it, being not a registered traditional surgeon. The suspect is known and is at large as police are looking for him so that he can be arrested for unlawful circumcision and murder."
The death comes as the province has prepared well for the summer initiation season.
The Customary Male Initiation Strategic Planning Summit was held a week before the traditional summer initiation season officially kicked off. The summit discussed extensively the challenges and solutions faced by Customary Male Initiation.
The summit resolved that under the "Mabaye bephila Babuye Bephila" campaign, districts and metro forums will visit various initiation schools to inspect the progress of initiates.
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The surprise stop at the school was part of a plan to stop illegal traditional schools.
During the summit, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Zolile Williams warned bogus traditional surgeons that the government won’t tolerate unregistered initiation schools.
Williams said: “Before any boy can undergo the cultural practice of initiation, elders must be involved. Family elders are crucial to the ritual's success, and they should be present. This culture is not supposed to kill and urged parents to monitor alcohol and drugs in the Initiation schools. For guidance about the approved traditional surgeon, single mothers should seek assistance from their male relatives.
“Those who don’t know approved traditional surgeons or where they can find a registered initiation school must consult their local councillors and chief for advice. It's common for some people to use this ritual to make quick cash in their communities because they know there are many single mothers uninformed about its terms. Initiation deaths can be prevented if parents cooperate and send their children to registered initiation schools.”
