There are now 43 initiates dead as illegal schools fuel another deadly winter initiation season
The Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders has expressed alarm at the rising death toll of initiates during the province's winter initiation season, with 14 deaths reported so far.
According to a preliminary report released by the Eastern Cape Department Cogta, the deaths have been attributed to dehydration, septicaemia, assaults, and the neglect of initiates.
The report also identified illegal initiation schools that fail to comply with traditional circumcision regulations as a major contributing factor.
The province has recorded the second-highest number of deaths nationally, behind Mpumalanga, where 18 initiates lost their lives during the rite of passage.
