2 initiates die and 23 injured after hut catches on fire

2 illegal traditional surgeons on the run

Two Eastern Cape initiates have died after their initiation hut caught fire at a village near Qumbu early yesterday.

This takes the toll to four deaths since the initiation winter season was launched in East London last week.

Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said two initiates aged 18 and 19 died when the initiation hut which had 25 initiates was found burning.

“At the moment we do not know what had happened. Some of the initiates were rushed to hospital in Mthatha. Police are investigating the cause of the fire which occurred at about 6am,” said Fatyela yesterday.

According to the new law regulating traditional initiation in the Eastern Cape, only boys aged 18 and above are eligible to undergo the rite.

OR Tambo traditional initiation district forum chairman Nkosi Gcobani Tyali confirmed that two initiates died in a fire that also injured 23 others.

“The death of the two initiates is not associated with botched circumcision or other related problems including illtreatment of initiates.

“We understand that it was a legal initiation school …”

“We send our condolences to the families of those who died and pray for a speedy recovery of those injured,” said Tyali

Meanwhile, two illegal traditional surgeons are on the run from East London police after it was discovered they were operating an illegal initiation school with a rate of R750 per initiate. Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said that last week a total of 11 illegal traditional surgeons and nurses were arrested.

He said the department has set aside R13-million for qualified nurses, doctors and monitoring officials to visit initiation schools on a regular basis.

Cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Fikile Xasa will visit the OR Tambo district today . “We send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and their relatives,” said Xasa. –