Boys die after circumcisions

2004-12-04 12:17

Cape Town - The Eastern Cape health department on Saturday urged members of the public to arrest those suspected of performing illegal circumcisions, after two boys died following botched operations.

"We are not encouraging vigilantism but urge the public to arrest those illegal surgeons and hand them over to the police," said Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo.

Kupelo said the unnamed boys died on Friday in Umtata Hospital and on Thursday Lusikisiki area.

It was the first deaths of this year's December circumcision season.

Kupelo said the department had set aside R900 000 as part of a public awareness campaign against illegal circumcision and initiation schools particularly in the former Transkei region.

Last year 12 boys died in December, said Kupelo adding that the department wanted to minimise fatalities and amputations this years.

In total 33 boys died last year.

- SAPA