GEORGE NEWS - George continues to be one of the safest places in the country to undergo the initiation process, with no deaths recorded over the past five years.
This year the death of initiates in the Eastern Cape rose to 25 compared to 17 in 2018, while only two deaths were recorded in the Western Cape, one in Johannesburg and not a single death or any complications in George.
Although there are still some initiates in the mountain in Thembalethu, chairman of the George Initiation Forum, Mzwandile Gingcana, said they are happy as the 2019 initiation season comes to a close.
"We have released about 127 initiates back to their homes in good health. We have about 10 left now.
"This has been a great season with an unexpected high number of initiates.
"We have worked well with traditional surgeons and nurses and we thank everyone for their commitment to ensure the boys' safety."
Gingcana added that not a single boy ran away or complained of mistreatment.
He urged parents whose children are drug addicts to first have that seen to before they take them to the mountain. "When they get to the mountain, they experience withdrawal symptoms, which can be very problematic."
In the Eastern Cape 60 cases of unlawful circumcision of underage boys were opened, leading to the arrest of at least 20 suspects.
Most deaths occurred due to dehydration.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
