Dead initiate’s surgeon sought
2008/06/16 By MALUNGELO BOOI Mthatha Bureau
POLICE are investigating a case of murder following
the death of a 13-year-old initiate at a Port St Johns
circumcision school this week.
Police spokesperson, Inspector Phumzile Njombela, said
Lwandiso Msitho of Caguba village died at the
initiation school on Tuesday.
He said Msitho had been circumcised by a traditional
surgeon at Lusikisiki without his parents’
consent and that they were hunting down the bogus
surgeon who circumcised the underage boy without
following proper procedures.
Njombela said boys over the age of 16, but younger
than 18 must have their parents’ permission
before they can take part in such a ritual.
“We are also searching for his nurses to see
whether they too cannot be charged as they did not
report this (the boy being underage) to
authorities,” said Njombela.
He said postmortem results had not yet been released,
but Msitho’s body was covered with fresh beating
marks at the time of his death.
Attempts to speak to the Msitho’s parents were
unsuccessful, but Njombela said the parents claimed
they had never consented . On
Thursday morning, a 16-year-old initiate from Slovo
Park died, while a another 17-year-old died at Highbury
in Mthatha. In both cases inquest dockets have
been opened. No arrests have been made
.
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