Police investigate two circumcision-related fatalities
The SAPS is currently investigating two cases of culpable homicide after two men died due to circumcision procedures at initiation schools.
According to a media statement released by the Provincial Commissioner’s office, the incidents occurred on Friday, 29 April, at Verena and Laersdrift respectively.
On Friday, a young man, Thomas Ntuli (19), was taken to a local clinic by his family after reports that he had some complications at the initiation school that he was in subsequent to a circumcisional procedure performed on him. It is further said that whilst the medical staff at the clinic was busy attending to him, he unfortunately passed on.
Police at Verena were alerted about the incident and a case of culpable homicide was opened for investigation.
Meanwhile a similar incident occurred at Laersdrift on the same Friday around 09:00 am where Sibusiso Masombuka (18), passed away following reports that he developed some complications after he too went for circumcision at another initiation school a day prior to his demise.
It is further reported that on the day at about 06:00, Masombuka complained about being dizzy when he was removed from the other initiates so that he could get some space to breathe.
His condition is said to have deteriorated whereby his parents were notified and the medical personnel were summoned to the scene where he was sadly certified dead. The police were also informed where upon their arrival, an inquest case was opened for investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has since sent her sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.
The General further made a clarion call for the investigation team to be given a space to probe both incidents.
