The Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) says the deaths of seven initiates in the province this season could have been avoided if all parties had played their part.
The fatalities have been recorded in Ntabankulu, Port St Johns, Bizana, and Buffalo City.
MEC Zolile Williams says the deaths are a result of ignorance factors, such as dehydration.
Eighteen people have also been arrested for illegally conducting circumcision at initiation schools.
The department says it is continuing with monitoring programmes at various initiation schools across the province to prevent further loss of lives.
“Stigmatisation, where some of the initiates were not allowed to bring their chronic medication to the initiation school has resulted in weaknesses and death immediately, which could not be mitigated. And so, we have been making advocacy campaigns and we’ve been educating young people from schools. We have addressed radio stations and advocating for people to comply with legislation.”
Winter initiation season opens with renewed focus on safety – COGTA minister weighs in:
