Circumcisions: Parents slated

Cape Town - After a fifth death in this year's circumcision season, "negligent" parents have been criticised by the Eastern Cape health department.

"They can't just leave their children in the hands of traditional nurses. There should be constant monitoring on the part of parents," said provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo.

The fifth dead initiate was a 15-year-old boy from Nelson Mandela Park outside Umtata.

It was suspected the boy had died from pneumonia and dehydration. A post-mortem will be done.

Kupelo said the boy was discovered on Thursday night in a "bhoma", the specially built grass structure candidates live in during their three-month stay at initiation schools in the bush.