Cogta-EC will spearhead the process of establishing rescue centres to stem the rising number of initiate deaths in the Chris Hani District Municipality. The centres which will be secured from possible disturbance are earmarked for hot spot areas in Lukhanji, Tsolwana and Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipalities.
The decision was taken this morning in a meeting held at Thobikula Indoor Sport Centre in Lukhanji Local Municipality. It was convened at the request of the Chairperson of the Eastern Cape of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL) Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima for an immediate intervention to stop the deaths of initiates.
The meeting was attended by Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle, Executive Mayor of Chris Hani District Municipality Councillor Mxolisi Koyo, Head of Department for Health Dr Thobile Mbengashe, members of the ECHTL and senior officials from Cogta-EC.
“We will enlist the support of the South African Police Services to work with our monitoring teams to remove the initiates from the schools to the rescue centres.
The intervention will be done after consultation with key stakeholders including traditional leaders in the affected areas. Dehydration appears to be the main cause of deaths and doctors will be available in the rescue centres in partnership with the Community Development Foundation of South Africa,” said Nkosi Matanzima.
He said the department will also solicit support from other Sector Departments to get tents and the provision of water to the rescue centres.
Nkosi Matanzima added that the monitoring plans are yielding good results in the ORT Tambo District Municipality and those must be “replicated to other areas to save lives.”
He said in some cases there was lack of parental support resulting in complications and deaths. Some traditional leaders were “not hands on in the monitoring teams,” he said.
“We need leadership visibility at all levels for the sake of our children,” he said
So far 21 initiates have died in the Province with 11 deaths in Chris Hani, OR Tambo 4, Alfred Nzo 2, Joe Gqabi 3 and Amathole 1.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families during this difficult period,” said Nkosi Matanzima.
The monitoring teams have visited 301 initiation schools and saw 5094 initiates. Of this number 374 were illegal initiates and 58 were sent to traditional initiation centres to finish the process of then ritual. Others were sent to hospitals for immediate medical attention and later released to the care of their families. End.
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