Limpopo initiation death toll tallies to three
After two initiates, aged 14 and 25, died at the Skinot initiation school in Sekhukhune two weeks ago, a 22-year-old man died at the Matlala Bakoni Traditional Council’s initiation school in the Waterberg District, Limpopo, on Wednesday.
It is alleged the initiate had complications and was rushed to the George Masebe Hospital, where he died. This brings to total three initiates who lost their lives in Limpopo since the start of the initiation season, Capricorn Review reported.
The cause of death of the 22-year-old initiate remains unknown, as postmortem results have not been released yet.
The MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs, Makoma Makhurupetje, has expressed sadness following the death of the third initiate.
Makhurupetje sent her condolences to the bereaved family.
“The province has zero deaths this season, but unfortunately, this was not the case. We are worried that the death toll has exceeded the previous year by two more initiates, but we will continue to engage all the stakeholders with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the problem,” said Makhurupetje.
Initiation schools are expected to wrap up their business this weekend ahead of the opening of schools next week.
Earlier this month, 14 boys died and a further 141 initiates were admitted to hospitals across the Eastern Cape because of initiation practices.
The boys admitted suffer from dehydration, gangrene, botched circumcisions as well as assault wounds. Regarding the botched circumcisions, Kupelo said in some cases, the foreskin had not even been removed and that there were cuts into the private parts of some of those admitted to hospital.
– Caxton News Service
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