Summer initiation death toll rises to 3

The summer initiation death toll has now risen to three.

The death of Tsepiso Nksoesa, 18, on Thursday in Leketlane village near Matatiele came barely a week after Thembelihle Mapasa and Siphesihle Bobo, both 20, died of suspected dehydration at Theko-Fihla near Centane.

The deaths shocked the traditional community, who have been applauded in the past for safe initiation. All three initiates reportedly followed processes, including getting their parents’ permission and being medically checked before being circumcised by respected traditional surgeons.

Cogta spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam said MEC Fikile Xasa had been praying that the season would be without fatalities as strategy and community awareness had been strengthened. Three NGOs had also been roped in to assist.

Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chair Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana said: “This is a great shock and a strange phenomenon that we have deaths in these two areas. The traditional surgeon who circumcised [Tsepiso] is a respected medical doctor.” Nonkonyana called for probes into the three deaths.

He said in addition to the police investigation, the traditional initiation monitoring teams and the ECHTL should conduct their own probe and come up with recommendations to prevent further deaths and injuries.