The Death toll in this year's summer initiation season in the Eastern Cape has risen to 12, this after three more boys died in the province this week.
The first victim was an 18-year-old from Barkley East whose uncle refused to take him for medical treatment.
The monitoring team made a follow up visit the next morning trying to persuade the uncle and other family members to take the teenager to the hospital, but they refused.
He died on Sunday.
The other two deaths were reported in King Williams town and in the Enoch Mgijima municipal area.
The victims, aged 18 and 19 died of dehydration and from a septic circumcision.
Last week two more initiates died, one from an asthma attack and the other burnt to death when his hut caught fire.
Meanwhile, a 27-year-old traditional surgeon is expected to appear in court this week for performing unlawful circumcisions.
The man was arrested in the OR Tambo District on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the Department of traditional affairs Mamnkeli Ngam says three illegal surgeons have been arrested so far this season.
