The Eastern Cape department of Local government and Traditional affairs, says they are undergoing a consultation process in introducing a customary initiation practice Bill.
Mamnkeli Ngam the department's spokesperson, says this is to eradicate deaths in initiation schools throughout the province.
Ngam said this season only 28 deaths were reported as compared to the 37 of last year's winter season and that the Bill will criminalise all illegal activities in initiation schools.
"We seek to ensure, through this Bill, that traditional leaders, nurses and surgeons are fully involved in the practice of initiation, so that we can deal decisively with the deaths that occur in our initiation schools"
He mentioned that initiation is a family and parental issue because in certain instances, when an initiate is sick, there is a delayed reference to a hospital.
"If families and parents are playing a legal role, we are ensuring that we deal decisively and effectively with the issue of abuse and assault, to ensure zero deaths" he added.
