669 initiation deaths, 124 penile amputations in almost a decade – Hlabisa

By Akani Nkuna

South Africa recorded 669 initiation-related deaths and 124 penile amputations in almost a decade, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa said on Monday.

“As long as these men are still alive [penile amputation] is something they cannot ignore,” he said. The initiation rite was meant to be a positive and meaningful passage, he added.   

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Hlabisa made the remarks at a customary initiation stakeholder dialogue at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.

“This cannot be attributed to culture. Culture does not kill, and culture should not result in penile amputations, which is largely attributed to negligence and incorrect practice. This is a tragedy,” he said.

Government representatives, traditional leadership, civil society and community stakeholders convened at the dialogue to address the persistent harms linked to initiation practices, including fatalities, injuries and illegal initiation schools.

Hlabisa