Initiation Death cut by Half

As the initiation season draws to a close in the Eastern Cape, death’s dark shadow has been halved.

Traditional leaders and government officials met in Ngqeleni, near Mthatha yesterday, where it was announced that initiation deaths had been reduced by half since last year.

At least 12 initiates lost their lives this year, compared to 24 in the winter of 2016. Six of this season’s deaths were victims of the tragic ibhoma fire in Qumbu three weeks ago.

The other six death include two from the Joe Gqabi district, two from Buffalo City Municipality, one from Chris Hani and two from OR Tambo.

Despite tensions between police and traditional leaders, as reported in Daily Sun last week, the partnership between police, the health department and traditional affairs officials led to the arrest of 19 illegal iingcibi and amakhankatha.

Hundreds of initiates were rescued from across the province.

Monitoring teams consisting of members from each sector also made it possible for parents to come forward and report illegal operators.

The Eastern Cape Customary Male Initiation Practice Act of 2016 that came into practice at the start of the season was also hailed for setting laws for the first time that hold illegal operators accountable.

Traditional affairs provincial spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam said: “One death is one too many. The decrease in the number of deaths goes to show that we are on the right path.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said the new act helped police to arrest lawbreakers.