Initiates rent out hut for alcohol

THE Eastern Cape circumcision rite has suffered an embarrassing own goal after two initiates rented out their hut to a couple for a night in exchange for alcohol.

The incident, which was kept a secret by local authorities, happened more than a week ago at an initiation school outside East London’s Duncan Village township.

According to local authorities, the initiates did not leave their hut for their guests but spent the night together with the couple – boozing away.

For traditional reasons, women are forbidden from going anywhere near initiation schools.

The alcohol-for-a-hut incident is the latest that has cast a dark cloud over the circumcision rite. This, as three Berlin initiates have been charged with murder for the death of 59-year-old Nolulamo “Lulu” Faku on Christmas Eve.

Two other initiates, who are underage, were released into the care of their parents.

When asked about the Duncan Village incident this week, department of health’s district circumcision coordinator in Buffalo City Metro, Mbulelo Matayo quickly asked: “How did you know about this?”

Matayo, who called the incident an “embarrassment”, said it did not bode well for the rite.

Matayo said the two initiates and the man who brought the woman for a sleepover at the initiation hut, have been punished for the collusion.

“The woman was told to go home while the two initiates received lashes and the man got a pounding as well from the family members of the initiates,” said Matayo.

East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said no case had been opened.

Eastern Cape cooperative governance and traditional affairs spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam said he had heard about the incident but the department was awaiting an official report from district officials.

“We will then launch an investigation and then release a full statement,” Ngam said. — malibongwed@dispatch.co.za