More young lives lost in Eastern Cape initiation schools
Newsteam
18 June 2010
The Eastern Cape Health department has confirmed that 21 boys have died at initiation schools across the province. The latest death occurred at the Magcakini School near Libode.
The department’s Sizwe Kupelo says police have raided illegal initiation schools, resulting in several arrests.
Khuphelo is quoted as saying the deaths occurred over the past 12 days, with nine of them occurring over the past 24 hours.
Earlier this week, seven under-aged initiates were rescued from an illegal initiation school run a 55-year-old unregistered traditional surgeon who had been arrested several times for the offence.
Health MEC Phumulo Masuale and the king of western Pondoland visited the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha yesterday.
They also visited illegal initiation schools in Mthatha, Libode and Lusikisiki, before meeting traditional leaders in the areas about the deaths.
Khuphelo added that the department doesn’t want to interfere in the customary practice, but is forced to step in because of the casualties and severe injuries.
18 June 2010
The Eastern Cape Health department has confirmed that 21 boys have died at initiation schools across the province. The latest death occurred at the Magcakini School near Libode.
The department’s Sizwe Kupelo says police have raided illegal initiation schools, resulting in several arrests.
Khuphelo is quoted as saying the deaths occurred over the past 12 days, with nine of them occurring over the past 24 hours.
Earlier this week, seven under-aged initiates were rescued from an illegal initiation school run a 55-year-old unregistered traditional surgeon who had been arrested several times for the offence.
Health MEC Phumulo Masuale and the king of western Pondoland visited the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha yesterday.
They also visited illegal initiation schools in Mthatha, Libode and Lusikisiki, before meeting traditional leaders in the areas about the deaths.
Khuphelo added that the department doesn’t want to interfere in the customary practice, but is forced to step in because of the casualties and severe injuries.
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