EASTERN Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Xolile Nqatha blames parents for the deaths of 11 initiates during this year’s winter initiation season.
Nqatha revealed that 11 initiates died, while 119 were admitted to hospital.
This was revealed in reply to a question by DA MPL Sanele Magaqa in the provincial legislature on Wednesday, 3 August.
Nqatha said: “In all the fatalities, the cause was dehydration, septicemia and gangrene. Most of those 119 initiates were admitted to hospitals due to initiation-related complications and as a result, their wounds became septic and dehydrated.
“All the deaths are a result of negligence on the part of parents or persons who are assigned to take full responsibility for the initiates. Awareness campaigns were conducted to educate would-be initiates and their parents or guardians on safe initiation practices including responsibilities.”
He said Mhlontlo Municipality accounted for six deaths, two from King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, another two in Ingquza Hill Municipality and one from Buffalo City in Mdansane.
“OR Tambo Municipality reported 76 hospital admissions followed by Chris Hani with 16 and 15 from Alfred Nzo Municipality,” he said.
Magaqa said the initiation season should be a time of celebration for families, not a time of loss and sorrow.
“Nqatha carelessly lays the blame for these deaths at the feet of parents or persons assigned to take full responsibility for the initiates. In doing so, he has shirked his responsibility and has failed to accept that the interventions his department has put in place are falling short.
“Initiation schools play a key role in our cultural heritage, but we need to work together collaboratively as a government and society to ensure our children can return and take up their new roles in our communities,” said Magaqa.
“There also needs to be better enforcement of the Customary Initiation Act. Circumcision should never lead to death or mutilation. The MEC must engage with the Provincial Initiation Coordination Committee and review what went wrong and come up with workable solutions that will ensure our children’s safety.”