Dramatic scenes unfolded at an initiation school in Mqanduli on Thursday when a group of women attempted to stop police from arresting a traditional surgeon and three traditional nurses accused of operating unlawfully. More than 100 initiates had been enrolled at the school. Women are traditionally prohibited from participating in initiation school operations or interacting directly with initiates.
The confrontation stunned senior government and traditional leaders who were present on an oversight visit as the initiate death toll in the Eastern Cape rose to 17. Among them were deputy minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, CRL Rights Commission national deputy chair Prince George Mahlangu, OR Tambo district deputy mayor Thandekile Sabisa, OR Tambo district initiation forum chair Nkosi Zwelizolile Lutuka and Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders member Nkosi Mfundo Mtirara. Despite attempts by the women to block the arrests, police proceeded to detain the four men.
The 62-year-old traditional surgeon was arrested for unlawful circumcision and for illegally operating the initiation school. House Operations senior manager at the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders Vuyo Stofile said although the traditional surgeon was registered and experienced, the school was operating illegally. “Some initiates were found without proper documentation,” Stofile said.
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“None of the three traditional nurses are registered or have any permits.” Stofile said there were currently 45 cases under investigation, with 35 arrests made in connection with unlawful circumcision, and 12 inquests opened into initiation-related deaths. The alarming number of fatalities has raised serious concern among government, traditional leaders, families and communities. Burns-Ncamashe expressed anger at the scenes that unfolded.
“This is shocking. In my life, I have never seen something like this — women directly involved to the extent that they interfere with law enforcement and are not even custodians of the initiates’ documents,” he said.
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