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Eastern Cape Local Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Fikile Xasa visited traditional initiation schools in the Mbizana Local Municipal area yesterday as part of the monitoring of the December traditional initiation season.
His spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam says a total of 39 initiates were rescued from two illegal circumcision schools in Elurholweni village.
Three suspects were arrested for kidnapping and unlawful circumcision. They are being held at the Mbizana Police Station.
Ngam says the initiates were taken to the rescue centre at Port St Johns for further medical observation.
Several of the boys were in a critical condition and were given immediate medical attention by officials from the department of Health.
Ngam said MEC Xasa was encouraging the community of Mbizana and other hot spot areas to work together with his department and other role players to end the senseless deaths of initiates.
