Pretoria – The Eastern Cape provincial government is finalising the Traditional Initiation Bill, which seeks to eliminate the commercialisation of the custom and illegal initiation schools.
Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle said the bill will be finalised by the end of September 2014.
The provincial government is set to monitor and implement safety measures at all initiations schools, especially in those areas where a high number of deaths were recorded.
To date, 24 deaths have been reported in the province in this initiation season.
Addressing the media in Bhisho about initiation schools in the province, Premier Masualle expressed concern over the number of deaths.
“We mourn the deaths of these young men and also convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
“We are aware that four arrests have been made in connection with these deaths in Libode. The suspects have appeared in court already,” the premier said.
Premier Masualle said the provincial government is looking at centralising all traditional initiation schools in areas most affected by the death of initiates. The schools will be taken care of by trained traditional nurses, Amakomkhulu. They will be made centres of coordination for the registration of boys before they go for traditional initiation.
The registration process will be opened from 1 August 2014 to 30 September 2014 for the December season. Close monitoring of the registration process will be done by the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders.
This will include ensuring thorough pre-medical screening processes, which will be done by the Department of Health in October 2014.
The provincial government is also looking at hosting a summit on traditional initiation, which will be attended by key stakeholders in September 2014 to consider new innovations to curb deaths of initiates.
A task team will be assembled shortly to start preparations for the summit. – SAnews.gov.za
