Approximately 30 young males have recently died in the Eastern Cape resulting from injuries related to circumcisions.

In a tragic report, approximately 30 young males recently died in the Eastern Cape, South Africa resulting from injuries related to circumcisions. This time of year is known as the initiation season when boys become young men through traditional ceremonies.

Part of the initiation process includes circumcision, but illegal initiation schools are reportedly taking advantage of this custom. The harsh and unsanitary ways that the circumcisions are performed has turned it into something much more sinister.

A spokesperson for the ANC stated “The African National Congress is deeply distressed by the news of yet more young lives that have been tragically cut short in their prime through botched circumcisions. Authorities can no longer pay lip service to dealing with this disaster.”

Currently, there are nearly 300 males in the hospital, after encountering dehydration, wounds and even gangrene from the circumcisions. Some have lost all or parts of their genitals as a result.

The African National Congress is pleading with leaders, governmental agencies and local communities to join forces to prevent the senseless deaths and encourage safe medical practices.