Community at Odds about Circumcision

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A bitter dispute over circumcision rites has erupted in a Pedi community in the Northern Transvaal after a man was abducted and forcibly circumcised earlier this month. The rites, which have resulted in the deaths of five youths in bush schools this month, have also been linked to the torching of three houses at Ga-Phasha.

The situation has reached the point where the province's Safety and Security Minister, Mr. Seth Nthai, has been called in to mediate in the case of Moses Phasha, 45, who was kidnapped and mutilated at one of the schools.

The five youths who died had been initiates at a secluded bush school near Ga-Mampuru village, at Zcbediela.

Police said the youths had died of infection or blood loss. "The water used to stop the bleeding is taken from running streams, all of which are badly polluted," said a spokesman.

Parents refused to discuss the deaths of their sons, fearing victimisation from village elders and leaders of the bush schools.

Recently more young men have opted to go to hospital to be circumcised. This has meant declining numbers of initiates for bush schools, which in some cases are now abducting recruits, causing acrimony within the community.