The MEC for Local Government, Housing and Traditional Affairs, Mr Soviet Lekganyane, has issued a stern warning against traditional surgeons who do not administer safe circumcisions.

“We will open criminal cases against traditional surgeons who don’t comply with our law of practicing safe circumcisions this season. We are excited that there was no death cases reported from the last year’s registered circumcision schools,” he said.

He said a circumcision was one of the oldest African cultural practices to take place in different parts of the province following last year successful hosting of these schools. According to him, it is expected that the number of initiates will be higher than normal.

It is expected that all the circumcision schools will complete their activities on the weekend of 24 and 25 July. There are 211 registered initiation schools in the province, 78 in the Waterberg District, 61 in Capricorn, 27 in Sekhukhune, 24 in Vhembe and 21 in Mopani.