The Department of Cooperative Governance has urgently warned parents to avoid sending their children to illegal initiation schools after eight tragic deaths in the Eastern Cape.
According to the department, seven of the deaths were linked to illegal initiation schools, while one occurred at a registered school in Butterworth.
Department spokesperson Pheello Oliphant stressed the importance of parents verifying the legitimacy of initiation schools to ensure their children’s safety and well-being.
“The culprits who circumcised the teenagers have been arrested and are behind bars. The causes of death in most instances are dehydration, septicemia, and inexperienced traditional surgeons,” said Oliphant.
In January, the department reported that the summer initiation season saw 34 deaths, mostly due to dehydration and negligence.
ActionSA provincial chairperson Athol Trollip emphasized that cooperation among health bodies, parents, communities, and Ulwaluko custodians is essential to find long-lasting solutions.
“While respecting the cultural significance of initiation, the alarming fatalities demand immediate action. The over 30 deaths of Ulwaluko initiates in the Eastern Cape this summer reflect a collective failure, and we urge custodians to eliminate misconduct for the safety of our youth,” said Trollip.