17 boys die in South Africa initiation schools

At least 17 young boys died in initiation schools in eastern South Africa in less than a week, local media reported on Monday. Those innocent boys died in the initiation schools in the eastern province of Mpumalanga, the South African Broadcasting Corporation quoted police as saying. Six of the victims died after they were admitted to hospitals on Wednesday and Thursday, with some initiates still in hospitals for treatment, said the report. According to the local custom, the initiations are normally viewed as a traditional passage for a young boy to enter manhood. However, the ancient initiations this year became the fatal platform for those boys. It is believed that "the botched operations went fatally wrong, " but "traditionalists are blaming the deaths on bogus schools," the report said. Police have launched a probe into the deaths. The report said traditional leaders and local authorities are planning a campaign to ensure the circumcisions could meet stringent health and safety standards.