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The number of initiates who have died in the Eastern Cape since the beginning of the winter initiation season has risen to 35.
The Eastern Cape Health Department says over 180 boys have been admitted to hospital and 35 have died so far.
Spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, says they've observed issues that they believe are circumstances and contributing factors to the deaths including criminal elements, lack of discipline and improper conduct by those who are responsible for running initiation schools.
He says the worst affected areas remain Mthatha in the OR Tambo region.
On July 8, the number of deaths was 25, and 61 boys had been admitted to hospital.
At the time, the Community Development Foundation of SA had built a rescue centre in Lusikisiki, which housed 132 boys. Another rescue centre was being built in Libode.
The winter initiation season was expected to end when public schools re-opened in the province on July 21.
Kupelo said the department's role was limited to health intervention and it had set aside R20 million to "cater for any circumcision-related interventions".
