Management from the South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape has increased its resources to ameliorate the standard of policing in all the traditional initiation schools in the province.
Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said these efforts had so far shown some positive results after five bogus traditional surgeons were arrested since the opening of the summer initiation season.
Nkohli said that all five men, aged between 23 and 35, are still in custody.
“A total of eight criminal cases are being investigated thus far. In all the eight Districts, task teams are comprised of members from Visible Policing, Detectives, and other stakeholders ranging from the Department of Health, Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs),” said Nkohli.
He added that the teams are visible in all the initiation schools and are monitoring compliance with the relevant prescripts and laws pertaining to traditional male circumcision.
Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said that they warn parents that these laws also compel them to be involved during the initiation process. “Noncompliance could lead to prosecution,” said Mene.
