Circumcision schools get chop
2003-12-03 15:20
Cape Town - The Eastern Cape health department says it will close down five illegal initiation schools in the Port St Johns area of Transkei this week.
Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said on Wednesday the closure was expected to be followed by arrests.
Ten traditional surgeons were currently in custody for violating the province's act regulating traditional circumcision.
This followed five recent circumcision deaths in the province.
He said the boys in the Port St Johns schools who were under age would be sent to hospital, a course of action followed with more than 35 initiates from other areas in the past two weeks.
- SAPA