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Botched circumcisions claim more lives in S. Africa

Xinhua, July 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

The death toll from botched circumcisions has risen to 22 since early June despite an intensified crackdown on illegal initiations, authorities said on Tuesday.

Of the deaths, 19 were reported in the Eastern Cape Province where botched circumcisions are common, provincial health officials said.

Two other deaths were reported in Limpopo Province and one in Mpumalanga, according to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Authorities have blamed illegal initiation schools for the growing number of circumcision-related deaths.

Also on Tuesday, the government indicated that the running of illegal initiation schools would be criminalised.

"We will not tolerate people who are running unauthorised schools or illegal schools. Our search is to get the law that can criminalise all illegal schools so that no deaths occur at any illegal schools," Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Obed Bapela said.

"Those who are running them please note that we are going to be tough on you but we will also have to strengthen the law so that we can arrest and sentence them," he added.

It is alleged that some boys are forced into circumcisions and suffer physical abuse at illegal initiation schools.

Authorities have launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal initiation schools.

Gauteng Province has the highest number of illegal schools with a total of 22 that have been closed down and 89 initiates have been rescued since the beginning of June.

On Monday, Bapela declared growing deaths from botched circumcisions "a national crisis".

"This is a national crisis looming before our eyes and a complex matter that needs all stakeholders to work together in preserving our cultural heritage from being hijacked by criminals, " he said.

Illegal initiation rituals, which do not meet health and safety standards, claims many lives in South Africa every year.

Over the past 10 years, 500 initiates have died while 300 have lost their manhood, official figures show.

According to local custom, circumcisions are normally viewed as a traditional passage for a young boy to enter manhood.

Traditional leaders and local authorities have been campaigning to ensure that circumcisions could meet stringent health and safety standards, but with little effect. Endi