Queenstown | Thursday
A YOUNG initiate died at the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH) in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday following a botched circumcision.
Two other initiates, who are being treated at the Butterworth Hospital, lost their penises this week after developing gangrene.
At least 29 initiates are receiving treatment at various hospitals around the province with circumcision-related injuries.
Four are currently being treated at CMH, eight at the Butterworth Hospital, five at Hewu Hospital in Whittlesea, three in the Cofimvaba Hospital, four in the Stutterheim Hospital, three at the Frontier Hospital in Queenstown and two in Cala Hospital.
Provincial health standards official Zweliphakamile Dweba said the cases would be thoroughly investigated and legal action would follow if necessary.
”We are deeply shocked that we have again lost a life this year,” Dweba said.
He added the situation would be monitored.
CMH chief medical superintendent Dr Zamani Ndindwa said the initiate died in the intensive care unit at about 3.30pm on Wednesday after his condition deteriorated.
Ndindwa said the initiate was admitted earlier this week with two-thirds of his penis badly infected and was operated on.
The victim’s identity was withheld pending notification of his next-of-kin.
Of the eight initiates at the Butterworth Hospital, at least four had reportedly developed gangrene, including the two who lost their penises.
The hospital’s acting medical superintendent Dr M Rayamajhi said: ”The bad thing is that those two boys will survive without their male organs. It is a sad and painful thing.” – Sapa