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The Eastern Cape Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, Zolile Williams, has denounced the deaths of Abakhwetha despite government efforts towards their safe passage to manhood.
Commenting on the latest update of the summer season of initiation, which started last month, Menzelwa said that since the start of the summer season 19 young lives had been lost.
He said that the breakdown of deaths is as follows: Alfred Nzo District Municipality – 3, Amathole District Municipality – 2, Buffalo City Municipality – 2, Chris Hani District Municipality – 2, Joe Gqabi – 4, and OR Tambo District Municipality – 6.
Menzelwa added that the causes of death were being investigated.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and their next of kin. We encourage parents, guardians and families to visit 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,” said Williams.
He commended the initiation monitoring teams, including Sector Departments, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), members of the South African Police Services (SAPS), Traditional Leaders, and some parents and guardians, municipalities, and other key stakeholders, for their hands-on-deck and hard work to save life and limb during this period.
“These are our foot soldiers whose dedication to the cause of culture, custom and tradition remains our never-ending source of encouragement and dedication to initiation.
“We will scrutinise the Report of the Strategic Summit on Customary Male Initiation and formulate a solid and implementable plan for the winter season and beyond.”
He added that these are unnecessary deaths that should not have happened in the first place if parents, guardians, and families played their active roles to secure the future of their children.
Williams added that some parents are working with government, but they need to do more to mitigate the risks associated with the custom.
He said 69 people have been arrested for unlawful circumcision, deaths of initiates, and other suspected criminal activities.
The chairperson of the Provincial Initiation Co-ordinating Committee (PICC), Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso, said that 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 added that awareness campaigns were organised in print and broadcast media to educate and remind communities about the importance of safeguarding their children during this period.
