adminEast London — The co-operative governance and traditional affairs department (Cogta) has summoned all Mpondo chiefs to a meeting later this month in a bid to avoid more initiate deaths, after yet another deadly circumcision season in the Eastern Cape.According to a newspaper, traditional affairs director-general Professor Muzamani Nwaila said the meeting had been called following the deaths of 39 men during the end-of-year circumcision season in areas around East London, Joe Gqabi and Matatiele.
He said five people had been arrested for some of the deaths and for having opened illegal initiation schools. The Eastern Cape health department says many of the deaths were caused by assault, septicaemia, dehydration, renal failure and respiratory complications.
Cogta has meanwhile set up a task team of traditional leaders, sangomas and doctors to monitor initiations and circumcisions across the country. — Sapa
Online Reporter