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The SA Human Rights Commission says deaths as a result of circumcision are unacceptable.
This, after more than 15 deaths linked to the cultural rite were reported so far this winter season in the Eastern Cape.
Human Rights Commission spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, says while they respect the observance of any culture, they cannot accept and tolerate a culture that leads to the death of children and the youth...
"Of all of the guarantees enshrined within our Constitution, the right to life is the most fundamental."
The SAHRC called on the presidency and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities (CRL rights commission) to do everything possible to prevent more deaths at circumcision schools.
Mangena said although the CRL rights commission and presidency were addressing the matter, they were concerned following reports on Tuesday that at least 13 initiates had died in the Eastern Cape since the start of the winter initiation season.
A report compiled by the CRL rights commission stated that 486 people had died due to traditional circumcision processes in the past seven years, said Mangena.
