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Dozens of boys and young men are dying in South Africa's traditional circumcision rites
Deaths linked to illegal schools, unsafe practices, and regulatory failures highlight challenges in overseeing over 5,000 initiation schools, officials said.
- During the latest initiation season, at least 48 boys and young men died, including 22-year-old Lamkelo Mtyho who died three weeks after joining a registered initiation school outside Ngqeleni village.
- Secrecy and remote locations in mud huts or shacks make monitoring difficult, while poorly trained traditional surgeons and traditional nurses use unsanitary tools causing dehydration and septic wounds.
- Authorities arrested at least 46 people in January and February, including 16 traditional surgeons, 28 traditional nurses, two parents, and a 26-year-old convict sentenced last year.
- The death toll is sizable, with 476 young people dying over five years, while the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission reported monitoring is hindered by secrecy and rural inaccessibility.
- Leaders warn gangs are expanding initiation schools and some boys under 16 slip to illegal schools, while reports recommend medical exams to detect treatable conditions early.
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Dozens of boys and young men are dying in South Africa’s traditional circumcision rites
Traditional circumcisions can carry fatal risks including poorly trained practitioners and cutting tools that are unsanitary or used more than once. Dehydration and badly managed septic wounds are among the main causes of death, and the remote settings mean help is usually far away.
·India
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Associated Press News+8 Reposted by 8 other sources
Dozens of boys and young men are dying in South Africa's traditional circumcision rites
At least 48 boys and young men died during the latest round of initiation ceremonies in South Africa, which involve the highly secretive process of traditional circumcision to “become a man.”
·United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Left
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left
L 60%
C 40%
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